Local schemes reach final six in funding bid

Representatives from Taylor’s Avenue Community Regeneration Partnership and Belfast Lough Sailability delivered presentations to the local authority on Monday evening.

Each group is seeking £1million funding from the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, which has made £4million available as part of its Space and Place Flagship grant.

Based in the grounds of Carrick Rangers Football Club, the Taylor’s Avenue scheme includes plans for a new single storey block comprising a community café, a multi-purpose function room and offices.

A separate two story block will contain education suites, conference facilities, parent and child facilities and office space.

It is hoped the project will transform a previously under used area into a vibrant space with facilities for the wider community.

Meanwhile, Belfast Lough Sailability is aiming to develop a maritime resource centre at the seafront. The complex aims to cater for both abled and disabled people, said Christine Harper from BLS. “It’s hoped we have an environmental suite that schools can use as well,” she added.

The project will require the purchase of the site and the development of a two storey building with a reception, aquatic touch tanks, changing rooms, showers, toilets, multipurpose room and equipment area on the ground floor.

A large multipurpose room will be on first floor, with a viewing platform located on the rooftop.

Alderman Jim Brown, who attended Monday evening’s meeting, said the Sailability plans represented the “final piece in the jigsaw” for the development of the marina. “It would bring visitors to the town and would be to the benefit of everybody,” he added.