October 2009

Quigley's Point Community Centre celebrates 30th anniversary

The Quigley's Point Community Centre is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month and next weekend will hold a fun day and sponsored walk. Over the years thousands of local children and adults have benefited from the centre and the committee is very proud to have reached this important anniversary.

The idea was hatched by Brian McLaughlin, Donal Murray and John Steele as far back as 1974 when they proposed building a sports hall for the youth of the area. Land duly came available from Pat Doherty after the county council had used the same ground for filling for the new road that by-passed the village. Meetings were held in 'Joe's Place' and 'The Old Sea Dog' to discuss and plan for the centre. A huge number of events were held over the years, including sports days, sponsored walks, dances, parish collections and silver circles.

The first phase of the building, the sports hall, was erected between 1976 and 1979 while meeting rooms and toilets were built by a FAS scheme in 1982. Roly Daniels and his band came to play at the Grand Opening on 27 October 1982. Fundraising was, of course, always crucial which Benny Gillespie - who was treasurer until his death in 1987, playing a lead role. He helped organise a big draw with a car as the top prize and he won the 'Baron of Inishowen' competition by raising a huge sum for the centre.

Development continued with an outdoor football pitch with floodlights being built, and the centre was incorporated as a limited company in 1999. The committee re-evaluated the centre at the beginning of the new millennium and came to the conclusion that substantial renovation and upgrading were made to the National Lottery and for Peace III and Pobal funding. The redevelopment including the provision of childcare facilities as well as a computer suite, dance room, large meeting room, kitchens, dedicated play group area, a room for older people, changing rooms and showers for the main sports hall, a room for the youth cub and storage. A substantial part of the redevelopment was the laying of a brand new floor in the sports hall. The committee haven't been resting on their laurels. Since undertaking that major redevelopment earlier this decade they have made further successful applications under the salmon hardship and LEADER scheme, securing the funds to finish off the exterior of the building and the car park, as well as purchasing security cameras, disco equipment and lighting.

All in all the centre has come a long way since Brian McLaughlin, Donal Murray and John Steele had their bright idea all those years ago.

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