Drumsurn Community Space is Causeway Council’s first fully carbon net-zero building

Works at Drumsurn Community Centre are now complete, making it Council’s first fully carbon net-zero building.

The milestone work saw the replacement of the old Community centre at Beech Road in Drumsurn, with an innovative and modern new modular building as part of the Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme.

The programme aims to address long-standing issues such as rural poverty, isolation and access to services in small settlements with a population of less than 5,000 people.

The Drumsurn community building was dilapidated and not been fit for purpose since 2019. The project, which was funded by the Department of Agriculture Environment & Rural Affairs, the Department for Communities, the Department for Infrastructure and Causeway Coast and Glens Council, has provided a much sought after facility that is available for the entire community and surrounding area.

At a formal launch event for the building, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan said: “This new community facility will be a major boost for the village of Drumsurn. The new carbon net-zero centre is a real milestone project for our Council area and will act as the local hub for the community while also enabling the delivery of a wide variety of services under one roof.’

“I am very grateful to the Department of Agriculture Environment & Rural Affairs, the Department for Communities and to the Department for Infrastructure for this funding and of course, to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council officers for successfully delivering this groundbreaking project.”

The new centre will not only provide the opportunity for community activities to be undertaken and for essential services to be delivered once again; but those using the facility will also be doing their bit to help the environment, as the building has the accolade of being the first Council building that is carbon net-zero.

The building benefits from the installation of solar panels to help reduce energy running costs into the future, assisting Council to meet its Net Zero Carbon Emissions targets.

Additionally, external work has been completed to provide dedicated parking spaces and a link to the nearby playpark. The aspiration of the local community for a functional community building where a wide variety of local services could be delivered, has now been fully met.

Agriculture Environment & Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said: “I am delighted to see the completion of this project under the Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme. The provision of this modern community hub facility and the associated external works will enhance access to a wide variety of local services and recreational opportunities for the people of Drumsurn.

“I commend the vision of the local community association and Causeway Coast and Glens Council for including an important environmental aspect to this project to achieve a new building that is carbon net-zero. The new Community Hub will certainly help deliver on my Department’s priority of building strong, sustainable and diverse rural communities”

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said: "I welcome the opening of this new carbon net-zero and modern facility in Drumsurn, part-funded by my department, which provides a bright, indoor recreational space to be enjoyed by the entire local community.

“The completion of this scheme, as part of the COVID Recovery Small Settlements Programme, demonstrates further evidence of how collaboration between my department and colleagues in the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs, the Department for Infrastructure and Causeway Coast and Glens Council can deliver benefits for all. It is vital that community needs are met and together we can help the Drumsurn area grow and thrive.”

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said: “I welcome the completion of this modern and environmentally friendly community facility at Drumsurn, and I’m pleased that my Department was able to provide part funding through the Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme.

“The new and improved community facilities will enable many local groups to deliver their vital work right in the heart of the area and the associated new path will improve opportunities for walking, wheeling and cycling, providing health and wellbeing benefits.”

Under this funding Programme, Council projects have already been delivered in the settlements of Armoy, Cushendall, Garvagh, Mosside, Magilligan, Greysteel, Dervock, Kilrea and Rasharkin. Projects are also currently underway in Bushmills, Dernaflaw and Dungiven which will create new and enhanced facilities, these are due to be completed later this year.

To read more about regeneration projects visit Causeway Coast and Glens