OMAGH LOOKS FORWARD TO REDEVELOPING THE OLD AND BUILDING THE NEW
Omagh looks forward to redeveloping the old and building the new
WITH the National Lottery Charities Board announcement last week of �300,000 grant to Omagh Community House, the town is now looking forward to the project becoming a reality and to a spate of other new developments and projects.
That was the upbeat message this week from the outgoing chief executive of Omagh District Council, Mr. John McKinney, who is soon to take up a new post as chief executive and head of the Special European Union Programmes Body.
Commenting on the donation from the Lottery Board towards the �1.8m Community House project - which is to be situated at Market Street on the site of the bomb atrocity of August, 1998 -Mr. McKinney congratulated 'everyone who had worked so hard to achieve this result.
'The vision of a Community House in Omagh is now almost a reality, thanks to the donation by the National Lottery Charities Board, the other funders and the hard work of everyone associated with the project.
'The donation, alongside others from the America Ireland Funds, Omagh District Partnership and others demonstrates the benefits that can be achieved through true partnership.
'The long-term benefit of the Community House building to the town and the local community will be phenomenal," Mr. McKinney said. 'The creation of a high quality building which will serve the needs of the entire community has been worthy of support and we are delighted to receive a further stamp of approval from the National Lottery Charities Board."
Mr. McKinney added: "The Community House is but one of a number of major projects and initiatives which are planned for the regeneration of our town. The recently launched Omagh 2010 strategy document, which arose out of 'Omagh Renewal and Beyond' sets out our vision to 'continue to build and promote Omagh as a vibrant and enterprising place that inspires confidence, excellence and development of opportunities for all members of the community'".
Arts theatre
Mr. McKinney said that to that end the council had fully embraced and supported the building of a new 400-seater arts theatre to be situated in the centre of the town.
"Omagh Arts Centre is the central element of a wider Omagh Town regeneration project. The other elements of the project are the development of a new Ulster Bank, the development of a new tourist information centre, a one-stop shop for business development plus a major environmental improvement project along the river bank.
"A very important aspect of this development is the environmental impact. The scheme will unlock derelict land along the riverbank in the centre of Omagh and make a major contribution to the improvement of the visual amenity of the area. The building will set a very high standard in terms of design and will improve the visual amenity in the High Street area."
Mr. McKinney added that the arts centre was one of a number of major projects in the pipeline for Omagh town's vibrant future.
'The development of the riverside scheme will provide a new focus for the centre of the town and enable businesses to face onto the river, as well as Market Street. The Community House located at one end of the river will mark the first phase of this important project.
Churches area
'The Omagh Town Heritage Initiative Group has also been working with property owners at Lower Market Street to ensure the best architectural quality is built back into the property. The group has received almost �lm in assistance to help the regeneration of the Market Street area from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, administered by the Heritage Lottery Fund (�900,000) and Doe Conservation Area Funding (�85,000).
Mr. McKinney acknowledged the important contribution which another project - the Churches Area Environmental Scheme would make to the recovery of the town
"This scheme, which has just got underway, is centred around the most historic part of the town in the Churches area and includes the provision of a number of sculptures, improved footpaths, car parks, tree planting and other environmental improvements. The council welcomes the long-awaited initiative and is delighted to be associated with it," he said.
Added Mr. McKinney: "Finally, I am pleased to highlight the development of Omagh as a leader in ICT. This is another strand in the council's plans to provide new and improved opportunities for the district.
"Omaghknowledge works, established a year ago, aims to place Omagh at the forefront of ICT in the North West region. The project has been boosted by by support from International Fund for Ireland and LEDU, as well as regional funding through the Leapfrog programme.
"We continue to be greatly encouraged by the support shown towards our town and our vision, and look to the future with confidence," said Mr. McKinney.
WITH the National Lottery Charities Board announcement last week of �300,000 grant to Omagh Community House, the town is now looking forward to the project becoming a reality and to a spate of other new developments and projects.
That was the upbeat message this week from the outgoing chief executive of Omagh District Council, Mr. John McKinney, who is soon to take up a new post as chief executive and head of the Special European Union Programmes Body.
Commenting on the donation from the Lottery Board towards the �1.8m Community House project - which is to be situated at Market Street on the site of the bomb atrocity of August, 1998 -Mr. McKinney congratulated 'everyone who had worked so hard to achieve this result.
'The vision of a Community House in Omagh is now almost a reality, thanks to the donation by the National Lottery Charities Board, the other funders and the hard work of everyone associated with the project.
'The donation, alongside others from the America Ireland Funds, Omagh District Partnership and others demonstrates the benefits that can be achieved through true partnership.
'The long-term benefit of the Community House building to the town and the local community will be phenomenal," Mr. McKinney said. 'The creation of a high quality building which will serve the needs of the entire community has been worthy of support and we are delighted to receive a further stamp of approval from the National Lottery Charities Board."
Mr. McKinney added: "The Community House is but one of a number of major projects and initiatives which are planned for the regeneration of our town. The recently launched Omagh 2010 strategy document, which arose out of 'Omagh Renewal and Beyond' sets out our vision to 'continue to build and promote Omagh as a vibrant and enterprising place that inspires confidence, excellence and development of opportunities for all members of the community'".
Arts theatre
Mr. McKinney said that to that end the council had fully embraced and supported the building of a new 400-seater arts theatre to be situated in the centre of the town.
"Omagh Arts Centre is the central element of a wider Omagh Town regeneration project. The other elements of the project are the development of a new Ulster Bank, the development of a new tourist information centre, a one-stop shop for business development plus a major environmental improvement project along the river bank.
"A very important aspect of this development is the environmental impact. The scheme will unlock derelict land along the riverbank in the centre of Omagh and make a major contribution to the improvement of the visual amenity of the area. The building will set a very high standard in terms of design and will improve the visual amenity in the High Street area."
Mr. McKinney added that the arts centre was one of a number of major projects in the pipeline for Omagh town's vibrant future.
'The development of the riverside scheme will provide a new focus for the centre of the town and enable businesses to face onto the river, as well as Market Street. The Community House located at one end of the river will mark the first phase of this important project.
Churches area
'The Omagh Town Heritage Initiative Group has also been working with property owners at Lower Market Street to ensure the best architectural quality is built back into the property. The group has received almost �lm in assistance to help the regeneration of the Market Street area from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, administered by the Heritage Lottery Fund (�900,000) and Doe Conservation Area Funding (�85,000).
Mr. McKinney acknowledged the important contribution which another project - the Churches Area Environmental Scheme would make to the recovery of the town
"This scheme, which has just got underway, is centred around the most historic part of the town in the Churches area and includes the provision of a number of sculptures, improved footpaths, car parks, tree planting and other environmental improvements. The council welcomes the long-awaited initiative and is delighted to be associated with it," he said.
Added Mr. McKinney: "Finally, I am pleased to highlight the development of Omagh as a leader in ICT. This is another strand in the council's plans to provide new and improved opportunities for the district.
"Omaghknowledge works, established a year ago, aims to place Omagh at the forefront of ICT in the North West region. The project has been boosted by by support from International Fund for Ireland and LEDU, as well as regional funding through the Leapfrog programme.
"We continue to be greatly encouraged by the support shown towards our town and our vision, and look to the future with confidence," said Mr. McKinney.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0844
Published Date: 25-Jan-01
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