The refurbishment of Castletownroche Community Centre got a welcome shot in the arm this week with news of a grant of €20,000 from Cork County Council’s Community Grant Scheme 2013.

The community centre, a former national school, was built in 1892. The refurbishment works include a new roof, dropped ceilings, improved insulation, an extended kitchen, new tarmacadamed grounds, a new roof for the front porch and stone facing on the front office portion of the building which will also be repainted throughout.

Local councillor Frank O’Flynn welcomed the allocation, saying that the funding Cork County Council continues to provide “positively influences the health and social gain of local community groups.”

Castletownroche was one of five area clubs and groups to receive funding under the scheme – groups in Kildorrery, Mitchelstown, Ballyhooly  and Rathcormac were also successful (see report elsewhere this issue).

“This grant aid targets voluntary and community organisations and I believe that it will continue to improve the range and quality of community based facilities in each locality and will contribute towards the ongoing enhancement in the quality of life of local communities in my area,” he said.