Contractor to be appointed in coming weeks
Elphin Community Centre is set to receive a €285,000 facelift which will see a range of sustainable energy upgrades being carried out at the facility in the coming months.
The project is at eTender stage with a closing date of July 28th for applications. A contractor is expected to be appointed shortly after deadline and works will commence later this year.
Speaking to the Roscommon People this week, Elphin Community Centre Clg Secretary, Det Reynolds, said it was hoped the works would help save on energy costs. The cost of running the centre each year amounts to around €30,000 with monthly energy bills of between €1,500 to €1,800.
“Elphin Community Centre Clg received €285,000 under the Community Centre Investment Fund, through the Department of Rural and Community Development, for the upgrade of the centre mainly in relation to sustainable energy. €15,000 will also have to be raised locally as part of this investment,” she said.
“This will involve the external wrap of the building, internal insulation, solar panels, new windows and doors which will make it a more comfortable building for all users of the centre and will also reduce our energy bills as currently they are a huge drain on our financial resources”.
The centre is used by a variety of local groups including the local childcare service, schools, Community Games, Elphin GAA, and even bingo.
“The centre is used for a range of activities and hosts groups from Elphin and outside the parish for Gaelic games, soccer, volleyball, cycling, chess, draughts, art, handwriting, summer and mid-term camps, bingo, drama, variety shows, band practices, dancing classes, training and retreats. Meeting rooms and kitchen are also available,” Det said.
“Refurbishment of the toilets, acoustics and other minor works are also planned. However, when application was made for the grant, in July of last year, it was not necessary to have an accurate costing of the works to be completed, so some of this work may have to be reduced as a result of rising costs”.
The centre will have to close during renovations and the committee has asked for patience during this period.
“It is most likely that these renovations will necessitate the closing of the centre for a period of time and we regret the inconvenience this will cause to our users,” Det said.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support in the past and look forward to working with them in the future. We also hope that this upgrade will encourage new groups to use the facility”.
While this is undoubtedly good news for the centre and the wider town, Det says more help is needed in order to keep the centre running long into the future.
“In order for this facility to continue, volunteers are always required so we would appeal to people out there who may have time on their hands to consider volunteering as new ideas, and new blood, can only strengthen any organisation. Elphin Community Centre can be contacted on elphincommunitycentre@hotmail.com and we look forward to hearing from you,” Det concluded.
