Dinny McGinley has confirmed funding of€199,950.00 to Rockfield Community Co-op Ltd for the construction of community centre to provide amenities for the broader community and environs at Rockfield, Knocknashangan, Ballyshannon.
Announcing the project, Minister McGinley said: “This will be of immense benefit to Rockfield, Knocknashangan, with it’s total project costs of €274,713.51. A lot of care was taken in planning this project and the development was designed to include the use of renewable energy heating sources, which not only will reduce running costs going forward, but will also have a beneficial effect on the environment.
“There will be facilities in the centre which will cater for the many community groups in the area to hold meetings and to undertake training that will build their capacity as individuals and groups. I know it will improve the quality of life and will strengthen the social and economic fabric for all the areas inhabitants.”
The LEADER elements of the Programme offer many challenges and opportunities in terms of addressing the needs of improving the quality of life in rural areas and providing greater opportunities for farm diversification. It is focused on the development of micro-enterprises, rural services, rural recreation and rural tourism. It is hoped that, by focusing on these services, the Programme will lead to sustainable development, which in turn will ensure prosperity for the rural areas.
Minister McGinley said “the project will now go back to the Board of Donegal Local Development Company for the final approval on the project. This is in line with the EU’s “bottom-up” approach to rural development”.
