Ballycroy Community Centre
Donation protected
Ballycroy Community Centre is a source of great pride in our community. It boasts a state-of-the-art kitchen and has ample space for meetings, activities and events. Last year it added a gym which has been a fantastic addition to our local facilities. A wonderful feature which has been utilised greatly, especially by the sports groups and youth of the community.
The hall itself has been in existence for over 30 years. It is used by almost every group and organisation in the community. From the young to the more senior members, almost everyone will use the hall at some point throughout the year.
Happy occasions such as First Holy Communion days and Confirmation days are celebrated each year. Local groups such as the Order of Malta, GAA, Homework club and Ladies group use the meeting room throughout the year. The hall is used for a variety of sports and activities – GAA training, Tug of War training, rowing, badminton and social dancing. Annual Christmas parties are enjoyed by the senior citizens. Santa always comes to visit the children of Ballycroy in December. Concerts and plays provide entertainment, filling the hall to capacity on some occasions.
The card players of the community and neighbouring townlands enjoy a season of Friday night card games each year running from October until February when almost every organisation in the Parish holds their annual fundraiser.
People are welcomed from near and far with a cup of tea and a sandwich after a funeral. A service which many have never seen elsewhere. The Midday group enjoy their catch up each week, an opportunity to meet for lunch and socialise with friends.
Meals on Wheels provides hot dinners to many members of the community 3 days a week. This service is provided by the CE scheme and Social Services group. It is a service which was maintained throughout the Covid-19 crisis. In addition, the Community Centre was a part of the Covid National Response with Mayo County Council, the CE scheme provided a service where medical prescriptions were collected and delivered to those in need of assistance. It provided a valuable link to many people who needed to cocoon.
The community centre is funded through local fundraising and rent from the various events held throughout the year. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 we have been unable to hold our annual St. Patricks Day events and Good Friday Bingo fundraiser. Our Festival has also been cancelled for 2020 and at present it looks like it will not be possible to hold any events in the hall this year, meaning rental income is also lost. Despite not having income our bills will remain as is; insurance, electricity, heating oil, waste collection, pest control and fire safety certs all need to be paid for, whether the centre is being used or not. The annual running and basic maintenance costs for the centre are approximately €10,000.
The Community Centre account never has a big reserve and at the moment we will not be able to pay the insurance which is due in September. If we cannot insure the building, we will need to close the doors. This would be a great loss to the community. Although we are not able to use it to its full potential, we will need it more than ever to resume life as it should be once this pandemic is over.
Please support Ballycroy Community Centre in any way you can. The centre belongs to the people of Ballycroy. The people of Ballycroy have always supported and been good to the Centre and we need to ensure it is preserved for future generations. Every donation will make a difference.
Thank you for your support, on behalf of Ballycroy Community Council,
Seán Conway (Chairperson), Peter Cafferkey (Secretary) & Sinéad Carolan (Treasurer)
The hall itself has been in existence for over 30 years. It is used by almost every group and organisation in the community. From the young to the more senior members, almost everyone will use the hall at some point throughout the year.
Happy occasions such as First Holy Communion days and Confirmation days are celebrated each year. Local groups such as the Order of Malta, GAA, Homework club and Ladies group use the meeting room throughout the year. The hall is used for a variety of sports and activities – GAA training, Tug of War training, rowing, badminton and social dancing. Annual Christmas parties are enjoyed by the senior citizens. Santa always comes to visit the children of Ballycroy in December. Concerts and plays provide entertainment, filling the hall to capacity on some occasions.
The card players of the community and neighbouring townlands enjoy a season of Friday night card games each year running from October until February when almost every organisation in the Parish holds their annual fundraiser.
People are welcomed from near and far with a cup of tea and a sandwich after a funeral. A service which many have never seen elsewhere. The Midday group enjoy their catch up each week, an opportunity to meet for lunch and socialise with friends.
Meals on Wheels provides hot dinners to many members of the community 3 days a week. This service is provided by the CE scheme and Social Services group. It is a service which was maintained throughout the Covid-19 crisis. In addition, the Community Centre was a part of the Covid National Response with Mayo County Council, the CE scheme provided a service where medical prescriptions were collected and delivered to those in need of assistance. It provided a valuable link to many people who needed to cocoon.
The community centre is funded through local fundraising and rent from the various events held throughout the year. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 we have been unable to hold our annual St. Patricks Day events and Good Friday Bingo fundraiser. Our Festival has also been cancelled for 2020 and at present it looks like it will not be possible to hold any events in the hall this year, meaning rental income is also lost. Despite not having income our bills will remain as is; insurance, electricity, heating oil, waste collection, pest control and fire safety certs all need to be paid for, whether the centre is being used or not. The annual running and basic maintenance costs for the centre are approximately €10,000.
The Community Centre account never has a big reserve and at the moment we will not be able to pay the insurance which is due in September. If we cannot insure the building, we will need to close the doors. This would be a great loss to the community. Although we are not able to use it to its full potential, we will need it more than ever to resume life as it should be once this pandemic is over.
Please support Ballycroy Community Centre in any way you can. The centre belongs to the people of Ballycroy. The people of Ballycroy have always supported and been good to the Centre and we need to ensure it is preserved for future generations. Every donation will make a difference.
Thank you for your support, on behalf of Ballycroy Community Council,
Seán Conway (Chairperson), Peter Cafferkey (Secretary) & Sinéad Carolan (Treasurer)
Organizer
Sinéad Carolan
Organizer