A total of €3 million has been announced for the development of the Market House in Ballybay. A contract was recently signed by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys for the design team of the Market House Regeneration Project, which was also approved for funding of €410,000 under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund. Welcoming the news, Cllr Sean Gilliland said this initiative is all about "bringing life back" to the Market House in Ballybay which has been derelict for quite some time. According to Cllr Sean Gilliland, the project will develop plans for a library and community centre in the Market House. Speaking to Northern Sound, the local representative said that earmarking projects such as this helps keep rural communities alive.
He added that the people of Ballybay now have a "bounce in their step" when it comes to bringing ideas forward and seeking funding opportunities for the betterment of the whole community and future generations. "I'm pushing very very hard for a community centre in Ballybay and I'm confident that I will take that in under RRDF programme - subject to funding of course," explained Cllr Gilliland. "If we can facilitate a library, a civic building and a community area in the Market House and adjoining to that a community hall/centre for the people of Ballybay then it would be absolutely wonderful to have that all on the Main Street."
