YMCA is cutting edge

In the meantime the £1.5 million state-of-the-art Carnegie Street landmark is already in use and activities have been ongoing since the start of January.

Chief Executive Hugo Dale said: “Although we’re physically here, the funding is just coming through so we’re waiting for a lot of furniture and equipment. Some activities have started including cookery classes and arts and crafts.

“The building is in use by the YMCA, but come the official opening we’ll be having a big push to let everyone in Lurgan know that this building is a facility that we want all sides of the community to make use of.”

The ground floor of the new building features two retail units to be let out to local businesses, while the second floors plays hosts to the main youth area with coaches and sofas and soon to be installed pool and table tennis tables. There’s another two multi-purpose rooms that can be hired out and a kitchen and toilet and washroom facilities.

The rooftop provides excellent views over Lurgan and is the perfect setting for summertime barbecues. Should more funding become available the option is in place to add an extra storey to the building.

Back inside, and the climbing wall is regarded as the jewel in the crown of the new YMCA building.

Hugo said: “We’ve had a lot of interest in the climbing wall. It’s as good a spec as you’d get in Northern Ireland.

“Like most of the rooms here. It’s available for private hire for groups and youth organisations.”

The YMCA also has a defibrillator which can be used to give emergency treatment to people who suffer from heart problems in the town centre.