New Community Gym opens in Drumquin

A new purpose-built Community Gym has just opened in Drumquin.

The £425,000 project was the brainchild of Drumquin Healthy Living Partnership and was funded by Fermanagh and Omagh Local Action Group, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Drumquin Healthy Living Partnership and Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

The purpose-built facility at Omagh Road in the village features the latest in exercise equipment and ventilation technology and represents a significant investment in the area.

Councillor Allan Rainey MBE, Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh Local Action Group, said; “I am delighted to be present in Drumquin this morning for the opening of this wonderful facility. The Fermanagh and Omagh Local Action Group, which comprises representation from elected representatives and social partners, is responsible for administering Priority 6 (LEADER) of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 in the Fermanagh and Omagh district  and the aim of this project was to construct a community gym in the heart of the village to improve the quality of life of the local population. The LAG is delighted to be supporting a number of projects under the Village Renewal Scheme right across the district and it is hoped that individual investments such as this and the totality of the investment under the Village Renewal Scheme will ensure that local people will benefit from improved infrastructure and access to services.”

Commenting on the gym, the Vice Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John Coyle, who attended the opening, said “Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to working with other key stakeholders to improve the quality of life of everyone in the district and I am delighted that the Council has been able to assist in bringing this project to fruition. We are all acutely aware of the importance of looking after our physical and mental health and wellbeing particularly at this challenging time and I am confident that the new gym here in Drumquin will help address those needs in the local area.”

Rural Affairs Minister, Edwin Poots MLA said, “I know that this ambitious project was designed following consultation with residents, and I believe that this collaborative approach will be key to its long-term success. Drumquin. will benefit from new features such as the community gym, provision of a public toilet and construction of off-street car-parking.”

Minister Poots concluded: “I am delighted that this project will create a sense of civic pride in the village and will help it reach its full potential.   I want to thank all those involved for all their hard work and dedication in bringing the project forward.”

Also in attendance was Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey, who speaking after the visit said: “I welcome the opportunity to visit the new Drumquin Community Centre and have a tour of the facilities.  This facility will help meet both the sporting and health and wellbeing needs of the local community and will further encourage participation in sport and physical activity.

“I wish to place on record my thanks to both the Drumquin Healthy Living Partnership and the Drumquin Wolfe Tones GAA club for the invaluable support they have provided throughout the pandemic, particularly in terms of providing practical help for the most vulnerable in our communities.”

Interest in the new gym has been brisk with over 200 members already signed up.

Drumquin Healthy Living Partnership Project Co-ordinator, Frankie Donnelly, said;

“We are delighted that Minister Hargey, under whose remit sport falls, and Minister Poots with responsibility for Rural Development, were able to be with us to celebrate both the opening of our new Community Gym and the sporting career of all-time great, our own Shirley McCay. To have Shirley and Fearghal Logan cut the ribbon on our new state of the art facility was wonderful. It will be fully utilised by our community”

The opening was performed jointly by all time record breaking Irish international Hockey player and Drumquin native, Shirley McCay and current Tyrone Senior GAA Football manager, Fearghal Logan.

The Drumquin Community Gym project was part-funded under Priority 6 (LEADER) of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.