THE New Hope Centre in Enniskillen is to close at the end of October due to unpaid rent and the withdrawal of major tenant.

It was built IN 2000 as a ‘not for profit and work for the good of the community’ project by Enniskillen Community Development Project (ECDP) Ltd on land leased from the Western Health and Social Services Trust. The lease has 17 more years to run.
The cost, some £700,000, was met from funding derived from the EU (through the Department for Social Development), Fermanagh District Council and a charitable organisation.

The Western Trust was one of its first tenants and, a year later, the New Hope Centre Creche, and then ICBAN, the Irish Central Border Area Network.

In a statement, Davy Kettyles, the company secretary of ECDP Ltd quoted two reasons for ‘such a drastic decision to close’, one, the non-payment of rent by the New Hope Nursery, a figure, he added, that had now risen to £18,600.

“This”, he said, “has put ECDP Ltd in a difficult financial situation to say the least. “Secondly, the situation was further complicated by the decision by ICBAN to move to a smaller premises due to a cut in their funding.”

Speaking to the Herald yesterday, Tuesday, Geraldine Kelly, the owner of the New Hope Centre Creche, angrily denied she owed anything.

“I would dispute that big time because I have spent over £20,000 in works relating to the creche building and the garden. The garden was sinking, and the re-piping and drainage works alone came to £12,000.”

Asked she had put the case to Mr Kettles, Ms Kelly stated: “Yes, he knows all about it, and the parents all know about it anyway.”
The creche looks after 80 children whose parents have been informed of the closure. A suitable alternative premises is now being sought in Enniskillen.

The New Hope Centre and the land around it had a book value of £560,000 this time last year in the company’s audited accounts.
Mr Kettyles said that he was working with the company accountants to ensure the profits from the sale of the building would be of the maximum benefit to the community in Enniskillen.

He said: “The Articles of Association and Memorandum were designed to ensure that, in the event of a sale, all profits would go to organisation/s whose aims and objectives are not for profit and work for the good of the community.”

Closure will mean the loss of two jobs, a cleaner and a caretaker. However, all of the company’s are volunteers.

This week, a local estate agent is to carry out a valuation and, once the work is done, the building will be put up for sale to test the market.
Mr Kettyles was satisfied that the proceeds of the sale will cover all outstanding debts and provide a local community group with valuable financial assistance.