Braid school steps closer to becoming community facility

Back in January, following an approach from local residents, Ballymena Councillors agreed to fund a feasibility study to examine the potential of the premises to provide sustainable community services.

And at their monthly meeting last Monday night members unanimously agreed the study’s identified preferred option - to retain the old school building for a community centre and lease the new school building for a suitable community service such as a creche or childcare facility.

Councillors were told that a new community organisation would have to be established comprising cross-community representation from the Braid area and that Broughshane and Glenravel community organisations have offered to mentor and support the new group in developing and managing their new enterprise.

They also heard that a number of ‘critical steps’ had to be taken to implement the recommendations of the feasibility study including legal obligations and funding and, in the first instance, agreement from Council on the way forward.

First to voice his support for the proposal was Cllr Paul Maguire who pointed out: “The enthusiasm for this out in the Braid is unique - there was a 94% return on the survey of homes (conducted to help inform the feasibility findings).

“I would encourage councillors to support the recommendation and meet with the community and property owners to move on the preferred option”.

Echoing his remarks, Cllr Paul Frew who said: “This is something that came out of a lead in the community.

“People were distraught that yet another school building would go to wrack and ruin. There is great community spirit in Aughafatten and and the Aughafatten community will work together to make this a success”.

Cllr Maguire’s proposal to support the preferred option as identified by the feasibility study was also backed by Cllrs Declan O’Loan, Beth Clyde, Monica Digney and also Cllr Maurice Mills who added: “I’m pleased by the response to the survey and I think that is an indication of how keen the people are to use this facility”.

The next step in the process involves further engagement between Council and the local community and the property owners to establish agreement to move forward on the preferred option of retaining the old school building for a community centre and the new building for a community service.

If agreement is reached, a new formally constituted community association would have to be established, funding secured and a three-year business plan developed, councillors were told.