Over the past few months, there has been a buzz around the Mooncoin Community Hall as construction has completed on and the town’s first youth centre. The project supported by Kilkenny LEADER Partnership (KLP) will give young people an opportunity to have their own space, in a safe environment.
The existing hall is used by the community for many parish events. The new extension helps broaden its usage by providing a dedicated space for young people. The project was initiated by “Mooncoin Vision Ltd “, which formed in 2012. The company obtained a lease from Ossory Diocesan Trust for the grounds in which this bright and airy facility now stands.
Following a needs assessment of the area, feedback highlighted the need for a drop in centre /youth café. Grant aid was awarded by KLP in October 2012. The project costs and grant was approved by the Department of ECLG by August 2013 and construction work began immediately.
Youth groups from the area are currently in the process of designing a mural to go on the walls. The centre will cater for Youth Clubs, Drug Awareness Programmes, Mother and Toddler Groups, Moondarrig Drama Group, Kick boxing, a Youth Academy (which caters for children up to 12 years of age), Circuit training and Céilí Dancing.
This project was awarded €200,000 in funding through the KLP LEADER Programme.
