Expansion for Creggan Country Park
Creggan Country Park has received a loan from the Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) to help fund capital expenditure and purchase new outdoor aquatic equipment.
UCIT provides affordable funding to community and social enterprise businesses throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. As a registered charity, all profits generated by UCIT are recycled for reinvestment into the social sector.
Creggan Country Park was established in 1997 to provide education, recreation, training and employment facilities for the local community and the wider city of Derry. The park is situated in Derry’s Creggan estate and consists of a 100 acre site, 25 acres of which is water made up from three reservoirs with 25,000 visitors per annum. The park now boasts a range of services that include a café, shower facilities, conference and training rooms and an array of outdoor activities including canoeing, kayaking, sailing, paintballing and orienteering.
Gerry Quinn, manager of Creggan Country Park said: “We received a letter from the Chairman of UCIT outlining how they may able to assist us in financing our capital expenditure. We then made the decision to apply for funding with them and they were very supportive of our vision to improve the Park.
Outlining how the park used the loan Mr Quinn said: “We used the loan from UCIT to help us refurbish our changing facilities and purchase office and outdoor equipment – without UCIT these improvements would not have been possible. Our new outdoor water-based equipment has proven very popular over the summer months with 1,317 of our 3,530 visitors using it.
“As a result of the loan we have also been able to take on an additional member of staff full-time.”
Phelim Sharvin, associate director, UCIT, said: “We are delighted to be able to assist in improving the facilities Creggan Country Park provides for the local community. The Park has a fantastic range of services available and is helping to give back to the local community and the wider city of Derry.”
Since its foundation, UCIT has committed in excess of £46 million to over 300 charities, community organisations and social enterprises. Those interested in finding out more can visit www.ucitltd.com.
