Official opening of community gym supported by Cornavarrow Wind Farm Fund

The conversion of the derelict Handball Alley into a modern Gym Facility in a new collaborative community Partnership including Drumquin Healthy Living Partnership. The facility has been derelict since 1998 has been unusable in recent years. The development of ‘The Well Community Gym’ will meet the increased demand for health and fitness activities.

The new gym is one of a number of projects in Drumquin and Killen who have received funding boosts from Energia Renewables, owners of the Cornavarrow and Slieveglass Wind Farms. Supporting a wide range of capital, educational, environmental, cultural and sporting initiatives.

 

 

Energia Renewables launched the community fund in 2018, administered by the Fermanagh Trust. The fund was set up to ensure that the wind farms, whilst having obvious environmental benefits, will also provide significant social and economic benefits to the local community.

The gym is one of the wind farm fund’s multi-year projects, with the partnership receiving £125,000 over 5 years. This funding from Energia Renewables has helped the partnership access Government and other funding to deliver the overall project.

Peter Baillie, Managing Director of Energia Renewables, said “Energia is delighted to support the Drumquin Healthy Living Partnership. As a leading renewable energy supplier and developer, we are an established and proactive partner to communities across the island of Ireland. We are supporting this excellent local initiative through our Cornavarrow windfarm benefit fund, managed by our partner Fermanagh Trust, and we are planning to extend this commitment via our proposed development at Pigeon Top. We look forward to continuing to actively engage with the local community and stakeholders though the development process, and further supporting worthwhile programmes such as the Drumquin Healthy Living Partnership in the future.”

Lauri McCusker, Director of the Fermanagh Trust added “Congratulations to the entire team at the Well Community Gym on delivering this valuable asset to Drumquin. The Cornavarrow and Slieveglass Wind Farm Fund is an excellent opportunity for the local community to access funding which will benefit so many activities, helping with venue improvement, equipment and running costs.”

 

 

In previous funding rounds Community Associations, schools, bands and sports clubs were awarded grants to cover a wide range of capital, educational, youth focused, environmental, cultural and sporting initiatives. Projects awarded funding included local pre-schools, primary schools and youth clubs were also awarded funding to carry out environmental projects and improvements to their premises. Other organisations awarded funding include sports clubs, credit unions, bands and Churches. Energia Renewables have committed to a £2.4 million fund over a 25 year period.

The fund will open for applications again later this year. Funding is available for community organisations / projects located within 5km of either the Cornvarrow or Slieveglass Wind Farm.  For more information CLICK HERE / E: gemma@fermanaghtrust.org