The Mayor of Newtownabbey, Alderman Lynn Frazer, officially opened the Whiteabbey Community Centre today.  The new facility, at the edge of Glen Park on the Glenville Road, will be a focus for community activity in the Glenville/Whiteabbey area.  The Mayor congratulated the community group on their perseverance in seeing the project to completion.  Alderman Frazer also expressed her gratitude to the other agencies who had been involved in the project. 

The community centre was co-funded by the Newtownabbey Local Strategy Partnership, the Creating Common Ground Consortium and built on land owned by the Council.  In partnership with the Council, significant funding for the work in Glen Park was received from the Environment and Heritage Service and Groundwork Northern Ireland.

Roberta Taylor, acting Programme Manager for the Creating Common Ground Consortium added “This is a flag ship project for Whiteabbey.  The Consortium is delighted to have contributed to the Community Facility landscaping and Glen Park project and been part of the process of community empowerment and the environmental regeneration of Whiteabbey.”

The Manager of the Newtownabbey Local Strategy Partnership, David Hunter commented “We provided over £87,000 from the Peace 2 Programme to the Whiteabbey Community Group and it is great to see the centre completed.  The LSP hope that the entire community will avail of these excellent premises.”

In highlighting the work within Glen Park, the Mayor confirmed that the Council remained committed to the goal of completing the Newtownabbey Way, which will provide a dedicated walking and cycling route from the Loughshore to the Council Headquarters at Mossley Mill.

Further information on the project can be obtained from Newtownabbey Borough Council, contact Neil Luney 02890 340076.