The First Minister Peter Robinson was given the honour of cutting the first sod of the new Enler Complex, an exciting new facility in the heart of the Ballybeen estate in Castlereagh.  The Complex will incorporate a number of retail units, a recording studio, a community centre, as well as a daycare facility for elderly people.The minister was accompanied by representatives of all the main funders, the Department for Social Development, the International Fund for Ireland and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.  Also present was William McKee, Chief Executive of the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust, who are developing a facility for elderly people on the site.The MP for the area, Mrs Iris Robinson, opened proceedings by welcoming guests to her constituency and to the event.  In her role as MP and Councillor for the area Mrs Robinson has been supportive of the project since its inception some ten years ago.  "This is one of the most significant events to unfold for the people of Ballybeen. This project was many years in the planning to bring a heart and focus to this area. After many false dawns and disappointments we are now seeing the fruits of those hard earned efforts in today's sod cutting ceremony for facilities which will range from day care for the elderly, retail units, a recording studio and a community centre. This has been a real team effort made possible through endeavours by the local community group BIG, DSD, NIHE,IFI and Landmark East and also local elected representatives. It's a great good news day for the wonderful people of Ballybeen."The Mayor of Castlereagh, Councillor Mrs Ann-Marie Beattie, welcomed everyone to the borough and expressed her delight that the people of the area would now, amongst the other facilities provided within the complex, also have a new community facility, which would be managed by the council.  “It is with great delight that I am present here today to witness the cutting of the first sod of this exciting new resource in the heart of Ballybeen. As a Council, we have worked closely with Landmark East, Belfast Health & Social Services, and the local community to progress this project and we particularly welcome the new and modern community centre provided within the complex, which will provide much needed facilities for the people of the area”.  Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie, who was represented at the event by Director of the Regional Development Unit Henry Johnston, , said "I am pleased to confirm funding of £1.5 million from my Department towards the development of the new Enler complex. This is good news for the people of Dundonald and when complete people of all ages within the community will be able to access and enjoy this modern facility."This project is an excellent example of what can be achieved when government, statutory bodies and other organisations work in partnership with the local community. I wish every success to all involved in the building phase starting today and look forward to visiting the project when it opens in 2009.”Alexander Smith, Joint Director-General of the International Fund for Ireland added: “I am delighted that the Fund will provide assistance of £400,000 towards the development of this project. Everyone involved with the Enler project in Ballybeen is to be congratulated. A key focus for the Fund is creating conditions where businesses and entrepreneurship can flourish. Ultimately, the work the Fund is investing in now is part of our commitment to building a sustainable and lasting peace for everyone in our society. Without the support of our international donors, the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, we could not continue to fund projects such as the new Enler facility”.Speaking at the sod cutting ceremony William McKee, Chief Executive of Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said,  "The inclusion of a new purpose built day care service will ensure that older people are central to the Enler complex and its activities. It signals a strong investment in local social care services and a firm commitment by the Belfast Trust to work with communities, and other statutory bodies to help deliver modern, integrated and well planned services"Brian Rowntree, chairman of the NI Housing Executive, said, “I wish to pay tribute to all those who have worked so hard to develop this project and I look forward to seeing the completed Development play its part in the continuing regeneration of Ballybeen, and become a focus for the people who live in this area.”Welcoming this new facility for Ballybeen, Blakely McNally, chair of Ballybeen improvement Group, who have fought for many years to see this new centre built, said “The Enler Complex, the result of community and statutory bodies, along with local councillors, all working together, is what devolution is all about. This will be a building where local people can have access to up-to-date facilities in their own area. This is society – the strongest caring for the weakest – a caring society we all want to be a part of.”Concluding the event, Maurice Kinkead, chief executive of Landmark East, the organisation responsible for developing the centre, thanked everyone present for attending the event, especially those whose support and funding had made the new centre possible. “Over the past eight years that we have been involved co-ordinating this project, I often doubted if it would ever happen. However, now that the first sod is cut, I look forward to returning here in 15 months time for the official opening of what will be a terrific and much needed facility for Ballybeen. Of course the centre could not have been built without the funding, for which we are really thankful, but I would also say that it took more than money to make it happen and I would particularly like to thank those who fought to keep this project alive when it looked like it was doomed, including the local politicians and residents who refused to accept defeat at any stage.”

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