Seagoe Youth Club wins share of £5.9m investment for capital developments
Seagoe Youth Club in Portadown is to share in a funding package of almost £6 million for the development of new facilities.
Ten capital schemes across Northern Ireland have been confirmed.
Collectively, they will see an investment of £5.9 million for new premises and facilities over the next number of years.
The funding is earmarked to give a boost to the voluntary youth sector and will allow all now to advance to the planning stage.
Seagoe Youth Group operates from a variety of buildings within Seagoe Parish, including the Youth Centre attached to St. Patrick’s Church in the Killicomaine Estate (pictured below). The Youth Group, lead by a dedicated leadership team of paid and volunteer leaders, offers youth work six evenings a week and in addition is engaged in a variety of schools projects in partnership with the EA.
The Management Committee of the Youth Group has struggled to maintain the current buildings at Killicomaine and so applied to the Department of Education for a major works grant to improve the facilities. Various options were discussed from a major refurbishment of the complex to a complete rebuild.
Seagoe rector, Canon Terence Cadden said: “We are delighted to have received confirmation last week that we have been included in the next round of the process, and sharing of a £5.9 million throughout Northern Ireland. Whilst plans have not been finalised, it would appear that we are most likely to be offered a complete rebuild of the complex to provide suitable accommodation for your current and future youth work in the area.
“The Management Committee of Seagoe Youth Group are looking forward to working with the Department as the plans unfold further.”
Department of Education Permanent Secretary, Derek Baker said: “Good quality youth work can significantly and positively impact on the lives of young people and make a real difference to their future.
“The Voluntary Youth Capital Scheme gives youth organisations across Northern Ireland the opportunity to improve the facilities and services they offer to young people.
“With this in mind I have given approval to progress the first 10 voluntary youth capital projects under the current scheme through the business case, design and planning stages.
“This is good news for young people and indeed the wider communities involved.”
The timing of this grant coincides with Seagoe Youth Group’s recruitment campaign for a replacement Leader in Charge due to the current Leader in Charge moving to a new post with the Education Authority.