Kingsriver Fitness Studio!
Then Minister Malcolm Noonan visited the Kingsriver Community base in Ennisnag to announce that a grant of €142,000 was on the way from the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund scheme
In one of his last duties before departing Government, Malcolm Noonan provided a wonderful windfall for a Kilkenny charity.
The then Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform travelled to the Kingsriver Community Holdings base in Ennisnag, to confirm that a cheque for €142,000 was on the way.
The money was allocated for the building of a purpose built gym for people with disabilities, physical and sensory, and was part of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund grant scheme announced by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, sport and media.
In all, €173 million in grants for 35 projects around Ireland were approved.
The Day Service centre at Kingsriver is currently undergoing significant refurbishment at a cost of €850,000. The redevelopment of the 12,000 foot building will be carried out in three phases over the next two years, with the specialist gym part of phase two.
The Green Party politician visited the Ennisnag base to meet staff and some of the service users before viewing the plans of the proposed development. He congratulated the Kingsriver Community on their bold initiative and their commitment to the service of people who were largely dependent on others to champion their cause.
He added that he was impressed by the vision and determination of the people in the background who were driving the project, and he wished the Community well in their endeavours.
“This will be a huge addition to Kingsriver and the local community in Stoneyford,” insisted Kingsriver COO Donna Murphy. “Everyone will have the opportunity to access the sports hall when it is complete.”
The Kingsriver Community, which is funded by the HSE, is a social care service provider primarily based in Ennisnag, on the outskirts of Stoneyford. The Community is committed to providing a home and quality person-centred opportunities, including training, for people of various abilities and to strive to empower them to realise their full potential as contributing members of society.
As well as the Day Service centre in Ennisnag, the charity also operates a hub in Kilkenny City. It also has four residential centres, in Ennisnag and one each in the parishes of St Canice’s, St John’s and St Patrick’s in the city.
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