Groups get a lottery boost

The scheme offers lottery cash to local groups to carry out improvements to their community venues so they make savings on their heating and lighting costs and cut down on their spending.

The Parish of Dromara will use its grant of £8,149 on one of its church halls, St Michael’s Hall in Finnis, by carrying out an energy audit to establish ways of becoming more energy efficient.

They will do this by installing new windows and doors and replacing the existing lights with new energy efficient lighting.

Meanwhile, Drumnavaddy LOL 519 in Banbridge have been awarded almost £30,000 to make their hall more energy efficient by carrying out all the works as identified in an energy audit.

The work includes the installation of a condensing boiler and fuel storage with new radiators, insulated pipe-work; double glazed windows and doors; creation of two heating zones; insulation to walls, roof and floor; draught proofing; installation of energy efficient lighting; installation of a point of use water heater and the installation of a wood burning stove.

Tullylish Gaelic Football Club will use their grant to connect their old building to the mains water supply, fitting new pipe work and repairing the car park once this has been completed. An energy audit will also be carried out on the old building with the view to making a second application based on the audit’s findings. They were awarded £7,075.

Based in Rathfriland, Drumlough and Ballygorian Rural Development Association will use their £10,000 grant to insulate the walls and ceilings of the hall.

An electric hob and gas boiler will be replaced including single skin doors, and their current fridge freezer will also be replaced with a more energy efficient model.

Frank Hewitt, the Big Lottery Fund’s NI Chair said, “The Energy Efficient Venues programme is open for applications, but it closes at 12 noon on Friday 1 June 2012.

“It is possible to apply for a small grant followed by a large grant from the programme, but community organisations must be aware that if they plan to do this they need to get their applications for a small grant in to the Big Lottery Fund as soon as possible. This will give them time to have their small grant assessed and awarded and to complete their project before they apply for a large grant.”

To find about more about the Energy Efficient Venues programme visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk, or call the Big Lottery Fund’s Information and Events team on 028 9055 1455.