(Front Row L-R) - Buick Primary School children, Mayor and Diamond Primary School children.
(Back Row 2) - Georgina Peacock; Paul Christie – CCP Trustee; Samanth Peden - CCP Community Development Officer; Elizabeth Boyd – CCP Trustee; Alan Nicholl – DAERA; Teresa Campbell - DfC; Tracey Campbell – Regeneration Capital Development Officer MEABC and Maureen Johnston.
Row 3 - Bertie McNeilly – CCP Trustee; Tom Simpson – CCP Trustee; Stewart Gregory – Architectural Technician- MEABC; Eamon McMullan – Capital Regeneration Manager – MEABC plus Cullybackey Community Partnership (CCP) representatives.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is delighted to announce an exciting new addition in Cullybackey - a permanent gazebo that will serve as a gathering place for residents, local events, and outdoor activities.
The project has been funded through the £2.4million funding package provided by the Department for Communities (DfC), the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council - as part of the Village Environmental Improvements element of the COVID Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme.
Installed in Shellinghill Park in association with the Cullybackey Community Partnership, the gazebo will provide space for residents and visitors to sit and enjoy the beautiful park for many years to come.
Constructed by local company AMD Services NI, the structure is traditional in design to complement its surroundings and features LED lighting for the darker evenings.
The project also included the refurbishment of three park benches, electrical enabling work, and the installation of an electric mini pillar to facilitate electric and lighting in the park for future community events.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Beth Adger MBE, with local school children from Buick Primary School and Diamond Primary School
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Beth Adger MBE, said:
“The gazebo is a wonderful way to bring people together - providing residents and visitors with a place to connect, socialise, and celebrate. We can’t wait to see how it will enhance community events and continue to build a vibrant, welcoming community."
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said:
“I am delighted to see the construction of this new and attractive gazebo in Cullybackey, which will create a space to bring the local community together.
“This is an excellent example of departments working together with the local council through the Covid Recovery Small Settlements programme, and will no doubt be a welcome facility for people living in the Cullybackey village and surrounding areas.”
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir added:
“I am delighted to see the completion of this project under the Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme. The Programme saw Government Departments and councils work together to deliver for residents and businesses in rural towns and villages.
“This project will enhance Shellinghill Park by developing a multi-use community space where people can meet, and events can take place. This will contribute to delivering on my Departmental priority of building strong, sustainable and diverse rural communities.”
Jonathon Fulton, Chair of Cullybackey Community Partnership, added:
“This gazebo is a fantastic addition to Shellinghill Park, and we are grateful to Mid & East Antrim Borough Council for supporting our work in the village.
“Cullybackey Community Partnership works to improve the appearance of Cullybackey, and we were recently successful in the Britain in Bloom and Ulster in Bloom competitions.
“As well as this, we have also been awarded the Green Flag for the park. This gazebo adds to the park which we are about to further enhance with the addition of a sensory garden -benefitting local families and local schools.”