Grant gives St Saviour’s Hall a new lease of life

Monday May 8th 2017

The exterior of St Saviour’s Hall after the work was carried out.

The Parish Hall of St Saviour’s, Connor, has been given a new lease of life after being awarded funding from the NI Department for Communities.

Arlene Foster, then First Minister, and Paul Girvan (former Communities Minister) announced last October that funding of £500,000 would be made available under a scheme to support improvement works for community halls across Northern Ireland.

The hall before being painted and spruced up.

The funding aimed at enabling community organisations in urban and rural areas to undertake minor works and improvements to their premises.

Mrs Foster said community halls brought immeasurable benefits to local people. “These halls are used by many community and voluntary organisations to provide vital services and are a place for local people to come together and strengthen relationships.”

The inside of the hall with its old windows, curtains and stage curtains.

Mr Girvan said: “A Community Hall is much more than bricks and mortar for those who use them. They provide a gathering place where people can feel involved in their local community and supported in their lives.”

St Saviour’s, Connor, received a grant of £13,070 which has allowed the parish to paint the hall inside and out, replace the single glazed windows with double glazing throughout, and purchase and hang new curtains and stage curtains. The toilets have also been refurbished.

And the hall after the work, with double glazing and new curtains on the windows and stage.

The rector, the Rev Ian Magowan, said: “It really is a tidy job. The double glazing is a great boost.”

The hall was hand built by parishioners in the 1970s, and the work carried out thanks to the grant means that it will be fit for purpose as a community hub for years to come.

Groups which use the hall on a regular basis include the ‘Women on Wednesday’ ladies group, the bowls club, a senior citizens group and the Young Farmers visited recently for their prize-giving.

Ian said: “It was not as if the hall was falling down but there was definitely work needed done. This will make is a much more comfortable environment for everyone who uses it, and the new windows, painted walls and curtains certainly enhance the appearance of the whole place.”