As the Fermoy flood relief works along Ashe Quay begin to wind down, big plans are afoot for numerous events over the coming months at the Fermoy Community Youth Centre.

The riverside centre was one of the worst hit businesses during the two and a half year construction period, with space limited, access restricted, depleted parking facilities and noise pollution, all impacting on the footfall through the centre’s doors.

SURVIVAL

“We feel if we survived the last two and half years we should get through anything,” said manager Kieran Barry this week.

“We lost on two counts, number one in terms of inconvenience. We had people walking out of meetings here because of the noise outside. And also in terms of business, we’ve seen a huge loss of income.”

Now all that is set to be put behind them, and Mr Barry has urged customers and local residents to return to the centre and get involved with their many upcoming events scheduled.

HUGE POTENTIAL

While the flood works negatively impacted the quay and its businesses for over two years, there’s no doubt, according to Mr Barry, that the new-look quay will become a fantastic space for activities.

“We intend to use the quay for outdoor activities, and some unusual activities too. Prior to the works we ran the AQUA festival, which stands for Ashe Quay Unusual Activities, we had to put that to one side.

“Now it’s time to put the nose to the grindstone again,” he added.

The Community Youth Centre is working closely with the near-by businesses, including the Grand Hotel, in bringing people back to the area. The two are coming together for the upcoming 90^th anniversary dinner celebration of Fermoy Musical Society next month.

Mr Barry stressed the importance of working closely with other businesses along the quay. "We’re not in competition with each other, we have the same customers so we can work together.”

This event will be held in the recently re-named Palace Theatre, which through considerable effort – has been refurbished along with the addition of a dividing curtain. The theatre fits 135 people, or two groups of 70 people ‘which creates a better atmosphere for those using it’.

FULL USE OF FACILITIES

As well as the theatre, the dance hall is currently undergoing refurbishment work, which will see it become a top of the range studio, capable of entertaining a variety of activities.

Mr Barry also said they would ‘have a look at’ the idea of re-opening the cinema to the public.

“In the meantime we set up a cinema club, and we hire the theatre out to families who can watch movies on the big screen. All our facilities are being utilised”.

The timing of the flood works finishing coincides with the reopening of the local schools, with the Gaelscoil particularly benefiting from the centre’s facilities.

“The Gaelscoil use our facilities regularly, they have a lack of space up there, so we’ve 410 students using our facilities daily,” Mr Barry said.

One upcoming event for children is the Lego Camp, which has previously proven to be a ‘big hit’, and resume every Friday afternoon from 2-5pm, from September 5^th. While children’s parties continue to run every Saturday and Sunday in the centre.

For more information and to check out what events the centre is running over the coming months, visit www.fermoyyouthcentre.ie or contact the office on (025) 32042.

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