The board of Bealach Nua has completed the tendering process and has appointed Collins Boyd as the design consultants to commence the planning for a new-build Digital Creative Hub at the Fairgreen site in Ballaghaderreen.
This development marks an exciting phase in the regeneration of Ballaghaderreen Town Centre, and will lead to a total investment in the town of circa €3 million. The project is mainly being funded through the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF), which is a key measure of the Department of Rural and Community Development for providing capital funding to commence the revival of small rural towns. The generosity of the Ballaghaderreen Fairs and Markets Committee in providing a significant lease has led to this project now being in a position to commence the construction planning process.
Following the appointment of Collins Boyd, the board of Bealach Nua is now working with the firm to develop the final brief for the project. When this is in place, the various aspects of design and planning consultations can then proceed.
The project’s overall vision and ambition is to revitalise Ballaghaderreen by stimulating the creative sector in County Roscommon and the wider Western Region, while advancing additional economic and social regeneration in the town and catchment area. When completed, the key markets envisaged will be working with creative enterprise start-ups and developing existing creative businesses, using and developing digital technologies.
The development also incorporates a further social dimension in that while the An Bealach project is focussed on building a creative industries hub, it also includes the development of a social innovation and inclusion laboratory, combined with an integrated Family Resource Centre. The new-build will provide a permanent location for Ballaghaderreen Family Resource Centre, enabling innovation of service provision to occur in line with the needs of the community as identified in interagency research of societal needs in the area.
