Cllr Patrick Mc Gowan and chairman of Donegal County Council John Campbell try out the Adult Exercise Machine at Glenfinn Play area.
The official opening of the new Community Play Area in Glenfinn took place on Friday last to great excitement.
It follows a total funding package of €118,128.51 which was funded by Donegal Local Development Company Limited (DLDC) and the local community, through the Leader Programme contributed funding of €88,586.45.
Speaking at the opening, John Starrett ,Vice Chairman of DLDC said the Board were delighted to be associated with the project and to be in a position to provide LEADER funding under the Village Renewal and Development measure at a grant rate of 75%.
Children try out the new Equipment
“It is certainly very impressive having been developed from a community owned site, to the marvellous facility that we see here today. It will also have a very positive environmental impact due to its design and location close to the Day Centre and The Isaac Butt Heritage Centre, and will be of great social benefit to the local community. The needs analyses that was carried out by the Gleann Fhinne Teoranta Committee and showed quite clearly the need for the project”.
Indeed overall, in Donegal, the Board were delighted to have delivered a total investment of €12.7 million in Rural Communities since 2009 which in turn has led to an overall investment of over €20M.
Neil Martin, Chairman of Gleann Fhinne Teo, said “Today sees years of hard work and planning come to fruition with the official opening by, Cllr. John Campbell, Mayor of Donegal, of the Glenfinn Community Play Area. Our Committee has been working tirelessly over the past few years to see their dream of establishing a much needed children’s play area and an adjoining adult outdoor exercise facility, and have enjoyed the support of the whole community and local care of the aged committee.
“The Project, costing €118,128.51, has been funded largely through a grant from Donegal Local Development Company (DLDC) via the Leader programme, with the remainder coming from funding from fundraising as well. The contract for construction of the playground was awarded to Play and Leisure Services after an open tender process, and was supervised by Mc Mullin and Associates, Architects. The site was purchased by the local committee in 2005 for the development of community facilities”.
He also thanked the Parish of Killteevogue for their generously in granting a loan Facility for the project. He also thanked all the Care of the Aged committee, the Parish of Kilteevogue, local community and voluntary groups and families who have also contributed or otherwise helped raise funds.
The opening of the facility was an opportunity for everyone in the area to celebrate the completion of the project and enjoy the many fun, colourful pieces of play and exercise equipment.
Cllr. John Campbell Mayor of Donegal officially opened the Play Area and paid compliments to the Gleann Fhinne Teo committee for their patience, hard work and efforts in making it possible.
He also thanked the staff and Board of Donegal Local Development Company Ltd for their support both financially and administratively in helping the promoter complete their Project. A great time was had by all and families in the area are now encouraged to enjoy this play park for many years to come!
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