Thursday 21st November 2013 from 7pm GADDA Building

WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO?

A big ‘Thank You’ to all those who took part in the Community Conversation on the 26th September – we had a really good turn out and gathered in some great ideas on the future of the High School. Thanks also to the many others who took the time to share their thoughts with us. Now we want to show you how these ideas are shaping up and enlist your help once more to make sure we are on the right lines. Whether you are a familiar face or a newcomer we’d love you to come along to this next event and help us as we convert your ideas into a workable plan.

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A big ‘Thank You’ to all those who took part in the Community Conversation on the 26th September – we had a really good turn out and gathered in some great ideas on the future of the High School. These are currently being assessed, added to and developed into a number of options which will form the basis of the final report. If you would like to see how these options are shaping up and talk through the thinking thus far then please come along to a further session we are running on the 21st November from 7pm at the GADDA Building.

In the meantime for those who haven’t been able to join in the conversations yet here are some of the highlights so far;

The need for a plan … allowing the school site to sit idle and gradually fall into disrepair is not an option – we need to develop a realistic, integrated and workable plan for how it might be developed in the future

The need to consider a number of options … we discussed
• Making provision for young people and sports activities
• Developing a multi use community facility – a venue, a meeting place, a productive space, a market, a campus, a play space – a resource for the entire community
• Facilitating the development of tourism – building on the museum and Garvagh’s other assets to create a proposition that will appeal to visitors and encourage them to stop, shop and stay
• Focusing on learning and developing skills – developing a centre of excellence in providing practical experience and focused training for real jobs

The need to be realistic … we must think carefully about what’s really needed and come up with a practical and realistic plan that delivers real benefits

The need to hear from others … we must ensure that as many voices as possible contribute to the discussion

If you can’t make the 21st November and are anxious to get in touch please contact Louise Browne on 07411081000. You might prefer to put your comments in writing, in which case please send them to Louise Browne Associates, 35 Glandore Avenue, Belfast BT15 3FD or e-mail louise@louisebrowneassociates.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

A Community Conversation Thursday 26th September 2013 from 7pm GADDA Building

WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO?

In response to the closure of Garvagh High School this event is the beginning of a short process which aims to explore the options for the development of the High School site and to hear your thoughts on the potential that the site offers; ambitions for its future use and your role in shaping a realistic plan for its development. We need your help to establish who needs to be involved; current knowledge about the site; ideas or plans currently being developed and what can be done and how. This event is about exploring the possibilities for its reuse and regeneration and to raise awareness of the heritage value of this site and future potential to generate economic and social vitality.

Please confirm your attendance to louise@louisebrowneassociates.com or give her a call on 07411 081000.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Causeway Rural & Urban Network, supported by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, is taking this initiative forward and has appointed Louise Browne Associates to progress the work. There will be opportunities for you to participate as the work progresses through meetings, workshops and seminars. Keep an eye on www.garvaghtown.com where we will post information on the events planned.

If you have any thoughts or would like to find out more about the study feel free to contact;

Ann McNickle at
Ann@crun.org
028 703 44934

Rose Smyth at
Rose@crun.org
028 703 44934

Karin Eyben at
keyben@communityfoundation.org
028 2955 7462

Download our information leaflet