The Coleraine Future Town Fund (CFTF) Board has provided an update on progress towards its first four-year Investment Plan, with priority projects due to be assessed for funding at the end of August and successful projects announced in September.
The Board has also successfully drawn down the first £500,000 of funding from the UK Government's Pride in Place Programme, providing an important foundation for the delivery of future projects and investment across Coleraine.
Over recent months, extensive stakeholder engagement and co-design workshops have been held with community and voluntary organisations, arts, culture and heritage groups, river users, sports organisations, businesses and local residents to help shape investment priorities. Project proposals are now being refined and developed based on this feedback, with a focus on delivering long-term community benefit.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Dawn Huggins said: “We are delighted that so many members of the public have taken the time to provide feedback for the Coleraine Future Town Fund projects.
“Drawing down the initial £500k of funding is a fantastic milestone to reach, thank you to all who have contributed to this so far and I personally look forward to seeing how this money will be spent to improve Coleraine for all.”
Alongside engagement activity, the Board is progressing a programme of research and feasibility work to build a strong evidence base for investment decisions. This includes town centre property assessments, heritage studies, community infrastructure analysis, connectivity reviews and feasibility studies. Equality, accessibility and inclusion remain central to all project development.
A number of key priorities have emerged through stakeholder engagement, including:
- Community capacity building and volunteering support.
- Regeneration and modernisation of community facilities.
- Investment in youth, women's and community services.
- Heritage-led regeneration projects.
- Enhancing the River Bann as a key natural and recreational asset.
- Development of blueway and greenway networks to improve access to nature, support health and wellbeing, and create opportunities for tourism and sustainable travel.
- Improved sports and recreation facilities.
- Events and town centre activation programmes.
- Meanwhile Use and Multi-Space initiatives that bring vacant or underused buildings back into productive community use.
A particularly strong message from stakeholders has been the need for a flexible town centre community hub or multi-functional space capable of supporting a wide range of community activities and services. The Board is currently gathering further evidence to assess demand and explore potential opportunities.
Community and voluntary organisations are encouraged to complete the CFTF Community Space Needs Survey, which will help strengthen the evidence base for this type of future investment and ensure projects reflect local priorities. The survey can be completed at the link below:
Survey Link: https://arcg.is/10v0uW1
Professor Gerry McKenna, Chair of the Coleraine Future Town Fund Board, said:
"We are delighted with the progress made to date and grateful to the many organisations, groups and individuals who have contributed through our engagement and co-design process.
The feedback received has helped shape a range of exciting project and programme ideas that have the potential to deliver lasting benefits for communities across Coleraine.
We recognise that local people are keen to see investment translated into action and we are working at pace to ensure funding reaches communities as quickly as possible. We appreciate everyone's patience as project proposals are finalised and assessed and want to assure people that every effort is being made to direct funding towards projects that will achieve the greatest impact.
We look forward to reviewing project proposals in August and announcing the priority projects for investment in September."
Following Board approval, successful projects will move into delivery, with a key focus on creating opportunities for local communities, organisations and businesses to access funding, support and development opportunities. This is expected to include a range of grant programmes and investment initiatives delivered over the next four years.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Dawn Huggins pictured with Professor Gerry McKenna, Chair of Coleraine Future Town Fund.