View from the road of the sleek new complex
The border village of Pettigo has been transformed in recent months with the completion of a major £6m project, the centrepiece of which is a community centre which has quickly become a hive of activity on the Fermanagh/ Donegal border.
‘The Termon Project’ funded by the EU Peace III was designed to enhance greater cross- community links between Donegal and Fermanagh improve village facilities. The work was led by Donegal County Council in partnership with Fermanagh District Council and ADoPT (the Association for the Development of Pettigo and Tullyhommon). Improvements included a pedestrian footbridge across the river Termon, a picnic area and riverside walk, while the Methodist Hall on the Tullyhommon side of the bridge was refurbished.
As part of an environmental improvement scheme, streets in the village centre have been enhanced and commercial and domestic properties have been painted, as well as incorporating landscaped grounds, a children’s playpark and AstroTurf games area. The main construction work of the project involved a multi-purpose cross-community centre, the Termon Complex, complete with indoor sports facilities, black box theatre, gym and training rooms. Another important part of the project, was the ‘Little Smarties’ pre-school which includes, a sensory room and outdoor play space.
Natasha McGrath from the Termon Complex was delighted to be at the event held on Monday morning. She detailed how the centre has already boosted the community, “It was good to have the ministers there and for them to see a project of this scale come to fruition. They were able to witness the difference and the positive impact it is having on the community. Pettigo and Kesh Primary school had children singing Christmas carols together and for me that was what it was all about, as they are the next generation. Living on the border in a community which suffered much during the Troubles, Natasha highlighted how the area deserves to have such funding which focuses on building relationships, “You go down to the complex any night of the week and the carpark is filled. It brings everyone together.”
Hoping that the Termon project would have a ‘lasting legacy’, the North’s Finance Minister Arlene Foster said, “One of the main priorities of the EU PEACE III Programme was to create new shared public spaces that have the potential to truly transform communities. We can clearly see the outworking of that funding in the magnificent new facilities and regeneration activity here in Pettigo and Tullyhommon.”
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