The Committees first and main objective was to provide a Community Centre and dressing rooms for the people of Clonberne and surrounding areas. This project was undertaken with very little funds or grants available, and in 1987 Archbishop Cassidy opened a fine new Community Centre. Local fundraising and the assistance of a FÁS community Employment Scheme erected this building. However, the real challenge lay ahead, that being “the running and maintenance of the new Centre”. 15 years later this has and is being achieved, thanks to the hard work and commitment of the Committee, and the ongoing support of the local community. We are proud to say that our Community Centre is probably the best used in the county, with the Hall booked for all nights of the week, some nights having two and three groups using the facilities.
Since the opening of the Centre the Committee has maintained a healthy bank balance at all times, with lots of money raised and spent on various projects. The building has been extended and modernized on a few occasions, with the most recent consisting of a new kitchen, meeting room, cloakrooms, and additional toilet facilities.
The Committee meets on the first Wednesday of each month, to monitor and plan ongoing events and fundraising. Besides maintaining and running the Centre, the Committee is involved in community development, with lots of projects undertaken. It has sponsored various Community Employment Schemes, with one currently in progress. It is also sponsoring a Job Initiative Scheme for the last two years. These schemes not only enable the Committee to enhance and develop the parish, but also give valuable local employment and training.
The Committee also sponsored a County Council Scheme, which furthered local development. It also sponsored a Village Renewal Scheme, which was run in conjunction with a Community Employment scheme. These two schemes totally changed the village center, with lots of praise from locals and outside committees.
Each summer, for the last number of years, the Committee has sponsored a Student Summer Scheme, giving employment to ten local students. These have assisted with maintenance work, a social audit, and last summer helped to set up this local web site: http://homepage.eircom.net/~clonberne .
Clonberne Community Development also sponsored a Heritage Project, which lasted for 3 years. The project produced a valuable History Book, which is presently on sale. This project had a lot of unexpected benefits, with computer training given to all participants. The employees rotated every six months, with most progressing onto further employment. A lot of research was carried out, and all records were put on disc for future use.
Some years ago, when times were not as good as now, the Committee set out to see how it could encourage more people to live in Clonberne. During this process they came in contact with the Respond Housing Organisation. After various meetings and discussions it was agreed to try and get a Respond Housing Project in Clonberne. A site was located and eighteen months later we have a beautiful housing estate, with fourteen houses, all occupied. Our goal was a mixed community, and this was achieved with some locals returning to the area, an elderly lady returning from England, a retired priest, and a few families from around the country. The project had a social amenity grant attached, and the Committee has now been allocated €80,000.00 towards a Community Development office.
The Committee is currently erecting village signs in the parish, and installing new footpaths in the village center. These signs are part of the Committees ongoing undertakings to enhance the area, and assist people who visit our parish. In the near future it is planed to erect a Tourist Information Board in the recreation area in the village center, with maps showing all the local businesses and townlands, etc. The Committee is also carrying out cemetery maintenance. Building a new Enterprise / Development Centre is the Committees next project.
Proposed Project
It is with the above mentioned commitment that the Committee has now progressed to the next major project, the erection of a Community Enterprise Centre. During a local social audit two years ago, it came to our attention that people had a desire to work nearer home, and some showed an interest in setting up their own business. There was a great need for a Crèche, and this has now been set up in The Community Centre on a temporary basis. The Crèche now has pre bookings for next September, and is looking for a unit in the new Centre. The local Credit Union also requires an office, and has requested a unit. Respond also require an office, which we will double up with a local information / development office. A local P V C company has also requested a unit, and likewise a web site design / computer facilities company.
Resources
The Committee owns a suitable site adjacent to the Community Centre. This site is partially prepared and ready to build on once planning has been granted. Building drawings have been prepared, and lodged for planning permission, which is expected in late August 2002. The Committee has some funds in hand, and is involved in ongoing fundraising. Possibly our best resource is a strong, dedicated committee, with a progressive approach.
Good News
The Committee applied to Enterprise Ireland for Grant aid under their new programme "Community Enterprise Centre Programme 2002", and were granted €120,00.00 under this programme ( 2nd Aug 2002 ).
The Enterprise Centre is now completed (13-3-2005) with all 9 units let, and it is intended that all loans for this project will be paid in 2005.
Most recent development
Select here to see the development committees most recent project - The purchase and development of 9 sites and the Community Sportsground & facilities.