A voluntary organisation in Killygordon says its community centre will become one of the most sustainable in Ireland thanks to a €300,000 grant announced today.
Crossroads and Killygordon Enterprise (CAKE) was one of three centres in the county to have been awarded the maximum funding for upgrades, renovations and refurbishments.
A total of 18 non-profit organisations in Donegal will share €2.16 million from the government’s Community Centre Investment Fund, with grants ranging from €25,000 to €300,000.
CAKE will use the money to purchase and install solar panels, heat pumps and to fit new windows and doors.
Chris Irwin, of Killygordon-based CNI Engineering, is also a member of the voluntary committee.
He told Donegal Daily that CAKE decided to submit a funding application due to rising energy costs at the centre.
CNI carried out an energy audit on the building, thanks to a Support Scheme Energy Audit (SSEA), which was 100% funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
“This audit highlighted how the excellent work carried out to date by CAKE with their ‘fabric first’ approach should be continued,” Mr Irwin explained.
CAKE had previously pumped the wall cavities with insulation and fitted the entire building with LED lights.
The audit report highlighted how new windows and doors would improve the building’s energy rating.
“The addition of solar PV panels and heat pumps will make the centre one of the most sustainable in the country,” he added.
Mr Irwin concluded by advising every voluntary organisation, and business, in Donegal to apply for a free SSEA audit in order to measure the efficiency of their buildings.
To find out more about CAKE, log on to their Facebook page.
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