A multi-million pound shared community space built on a former factory site in west Belfast has officially opened.
Over 30 metres of peace wall were removed to make way for the £7 million Black Mountain Share Space which is located at the former Finlay’s factory site on Ballygomartin Road.
Funding for the building was sourced from the EU’s Peace IV Programme, along with the Republic’s Department of Rural and Community Development and Stormont’s Department for Communities. Funding was also provided by Belfast City Council.
It is managed by the Black Mountain Shared Space cross-community association.
Paul Millar, chair of Black Mountain Shared Space said: “BMSS was established in 2010 to break down barriers and improve community relations. This fantastic new building will make a huge difference to our work.
“It will provide us with the space to deliver much more joint programming and that will in turn help bring the two neighbouring communities together more regularly. It gives us a base to build towards a positive, shared future.”
Communities minister Gordon Lyons said that the opening of the new community space was the culmination of many years of cross community engagement and added that it will be “a fabulous shared asset for all the people in the surrounding area”.
Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development Joe O’Brien TD said he was “delighted” to see the completion of the project.
“I have no doubt that this new common area will boost interaction between people and communities from all backgrounds,” he added.
Lord Mayor Councillor Micky Murray said that the building will provide “a base to deliver vital services for people of all ages and backgrounds” and “will act as a catalyst for the physical and social regeneration of the area”.
Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), said: “This work is vital in our society in relation to finding opportunities for peacebuilding, reconciliation and delivering a more inclusive place for this and future generations. These spaces help to break down stereotypes, dispel prejudices and promote a sense of mutual respect and understanding.”
