Fermanagh House
PRESSURE on space in Fermanagh House, Enniskillen, which was opened by the Fermanagh Trust in 2007, has led to the need for a large £900,000 extension.
At present, it caters for eight permanent ‘tenants’, employing some 35 staff and around 50-plus organisations who use it on a regular basis.
Its director, Lauri McCusker, defined ‘Fermanagh House’ as, a one-stop shop for community and volunteer activities in Fermanagh.
Included in the permanent tenants are Citizens Advice bureau, MENCAP and the charity, Liveability.
“It is also used by organisations for personal development and recreational purposes, including a lot of health awareness groups and the likes of Autism NI groups, Chest Heart and Stroke.
“It is also used for educational classes, IT, computer courses and the teaching of languages.”
As to how Fermanagh Trust evolved, Mr McCusker explained that a need was identified and, in that way, Fermanagh House developed.
“We developed because of demand and because we have been turning people away. There are a lot of organisations who don’t need a permanent base in Fermanagh, but part of their organisation has to deliver their work across the region, so they come to us.”
He added: “We have run out of space, really.”
Mr McCusker explained that the cost of the extension, £900,000 was now at hand.
“We have had significant support from the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM), and we’re hoping to start building work after the summer.”
There was further good news for Mr McCusker this week when Fermanagh District Council agreed to lease the area it had requested for the extension at a peppercorn (nominal) rent, subject to the necessary business case and other permissions being in place.
For its part, Fermanagh Trust has agreed to meet the cost of relocating any council infrastructure from within the site.
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