The official opening of the new extension to the Finn Valley Centre took place today following the recent completion of a €300K Construction Works Contract.
Funding of €150,000 was provided by Donegal Local Development Company (DLDC) through the LEADER Programme with a similar amount of match funding being committed by the local committee of the Finn Valley AC Ltd.
The Leader Programme is one of the core funding programmes administered by DLDC and has played a major role in revitalising rural communities in the Finn Valley area as well as numerous projects across Donegal.
This new facility sees a major expansion to the existing Finn Valley facilities and will help address the recent increase in demand for several activities.
Speaking at the opening Patsy McGonagle of Finn Valley said he is delighted to mark this occasion in partnership with DLDC. The added facility is already key to supporting the various services that Finn Valley are pleased to roll out to the community.
Already it has supported the delivery of same and has in addition enabled the club to offer both full and part time employment. The club continues to remain active indeed proactive in considering new programmes that will benefit the social, education and health/wellbeing of the community. Our motto is “Active in the community since 1971” and this most welcome support and encouragement from the D L D C enables this. We are most appreciative of D L D C contribution.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of DLDC said it was a tremendous pleasure for him to represent DLDC and join with the Finn Valley Committee in the official opening of the new additional facility in Stranorlar.
“The Finn Valley Centre is a testament to the success of the local committee and the LEADER Rural Development Programme both here in the county as well as throughout the nation. The aim of the LEADER Programme throughout Europe is to encourage local actors like the Finn Valley Committee to develop innovative enterprise and community facilities throughout Donegal. It is our view that this project is an excellent example of an initiative which meets the challenges and aims of LEADER.
“While we acknowledge the importance of the LEADER grant, we must also acknowledge the commitment and input from the local committee who provided match funding of €150,000 to ensure the project was delivered to the outstanding specification which we witness here today”.
Through various Leader Programmes Donegal Local Development Company has so far provided in excess of €23M to some 725 projects in Donegal. Along with match funding by project promoters an up to date total of over €55M has been invested in rural development projects by DLDC and local promoters which has contributed in a strategic way to building the Donegal economy.
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