Over one and a half million euro is to be allocated to local Community Centres in the Shannonside Region.
The Community Centre Investment Fund is the largest of its kind and will see a total of 33 million euro in grants given to upgrade 278 rural community Centre.
€1,582,529 in total is to go to 16 different community centres across Longford, Leitrim and Roscommon. The funding will be used to upgrade, renovate and refurbish Community Centres, Parish Halls, Scouts Clubs, Youth Hubs, Family Resources Centres and Sports Complexes across the country. Roscommon received the highest level of funding with €741,238 awarded to 7 centres. These include €285,000 towards to Elphin Community Centre, €146,210 for St Ronan's Hall in Keadue, with other grants confirmed for Vita House, Boyle Family Resource Centre and the Kilbride Community Centre among others. €472,238 will be distributed towards five centres in Leitrim, such as the Mayflower Community Centre and the Ballinagleara Community Hall.
The Drumlish Community Centre in Longford has the third highest amount in the region, with €260,000 going towards upgrade works at the site.
Other centres to be supported by the fund include Ardagh, Kenagh and Colmcille Community Centres.
Colmcille Community Centre received almost 60-thousand euro in funding
Christine Collins, Chairperson of the centre, says they're overwhelmed by the announcement.
''We're overwhelmed from the local support as well. And you know, it's great to see as the community center is open, there's a need for it. We're just over the moon and delighted that government is recognising that there is a need to support local community centers, We have a lot of new people to the area and you know, it's lovely the way they joined the different groups and get to know other people. It just plays such a key role in our local community.''
