Funding of €1.15m. awarded for new Mayo scouts den

Minister of State Dara Calleary has announced that the 5th Mayo Scouts Ballina has been awarded €1.15 million in funding towards the proposed development of a new den and community centre.

The Minister said: “I am delighted to announce €1.15 million in funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development for Ballina Scouts towards the building of a new den and community centre at Belleek in the town.

“This is very welcome news and a very welcome investment in Ballina.

"I have been working with Ballina Scouts for a number of months in relation to the application and as a former member of the Troop I am particularly pleased to be able to deliver this substantial investment in their future.

"I want to thank the skippers who have worked so hard over so many years to keep the troop alive in Ballina and to drive this ambitious project forward, the scouts themselves and their parents who have spearheaded the fundraising drive and all who have helped in any way to get the proposed project to this stage.

"I really am delighted to have been able to match their ambition with this level of grant funding.

"With planning permission also now granted, I am looking forward to the construction of a state-of-the-art den that will serve the community of Ballina in the years ahead,” he added.

Welcoming the news, Deputy Michael Ring stated: “This is a wonderful proposal which will see a new Community Centre up and active and open to other community groups also”.

Deputy Michael Ring continued: “Ballina Scout Group are over 60 years old.

"They provide a fantastic range of services to the youth of Ballina and local communities.

“They are currently operating from a building that is not suitable and this new community Centre will be very welcome news.

“It is all volunteers working in the Scouts group.

"They dedicate so much of their time and energy in to providing a wonderful organisation for the young people of Ballina and I am truly pleased to see them getting the facilities they deserve."