ENNISKILLEN Library is set for a major transformation after securing £756,000 funding for its redevelopment.
A business case proposing a new library facility for Enniskillen was approved by the Department for Communities in 2020 following which a design team was appointed, plans for the new library were developed and planning approval was granted in June 2021.
The plans lodged were to demolish the existing building on Halls Lane and replace it with a brand-new £470,000 library due for completion in December 2023.
DUP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA, Deborah Erskine has welcomed the Communities Minister’s commitment of £756,000 to develop Enniskillen Library.
Ms Erskine said, “I am absolutely thrilled that Enniskillen Library redevelopment is now finally getting the go-ahead with the commitment of substantial funding coming from the Department for Communities, secured by DUP Minister Gordon Lyons. This is something I have been pushing for, and it will be great to see the project come to fruition.
“Anyone who has recently visited Enniskillen Library will know that the building is in poor state and deserves to be updated. The people of Enniskillen and Fermanagh deserve to have state of the art facilities and this is one place that has been crying out for investment for quite some time.”
During the summer Ms Erskine invited the Communities Minister to Enniskillen Library to see for himself the problems associated with the deteriorating condition building.
“On that visit he was shocked to see the poor state of the building and promised that it would be a priority to find the funding in order to ensure Enniskillen Library was redeveloped, with a facility that everyone can be proud of,” Deborah added.
“Libraries are the heartbeat of communities providing safe spaces for all ages to learn, break down social isolation and are used as a vocal point for community groups and organisations.
“I am delighted that the county town of Fermanagh, Enniskillen, is now seeing much needed investment in this regard. I pay tribute to the staff of Enniskillen Library and indeed Libraries NI who have also been lobbying for this outcome. This is great news for all today. We now look forward to seeing work progress to completion.”
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