SDLP Councillor Brian Tierney has welcomed a commitment from Derry City and Strabane District Council to allocate funds towards a number of capital projects and other corporate priorities within Council’s capital plan.
Speaking after he proposed the move at the Governance and Strategic Planning Committee today, Councillor Tierney said:
“I was delighted to propose this move by Council which will see money ring-fenced by Council to advance a number of key projects within the city and district. Part of this will see £2.5 million set aside for new community centres.
“Having worked on the plans for a number of years, alongside the community, it is extremely welcome to see almost £740,000 ring-fenced for the Galliagh Community Centre and £1.191 million ring-fenced for the Shantallow Community Centre within the plan.
“I know the Galliagh steering group will see this as a huge relief and the wider community will see this as a statement of intent that Council are serious about this project. This project has been talked about for some time and I believe today’s approach by Council will show our commitment to the Galliagh area.
“Equally, the people of Shantallow will widely welcome this money as the current centre is extremely busy and a real hub of the community.
“However, the current centre is working to capacity and the need for a new, modern centre has been recognised by Council.
“There are a number of other key projects which we were keen to include and are also keen to help advance. However, the progress and funding commitments that we saw today must be welcomed.
“There is more work to do to get these projects over the line, but today’s commitment by the Committee is a huge step in the right direction,” added Cllr Tierney.
