New community centre is named after local activist

A COMMUNITY centre, named after a local community activist who died in 2009, has been officially opened.

Liam Rodgers campaigned for many years alongside the Kinsealy Melrose Residents’ Association for a community centre and continued to do so up until six weeks before passing away.

Last Saturday week (December 9), Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Mary McCamley, officially opened the Fingal Liam Rodgers Centre in the company of the late Mr Rodgers’ family and friends. 

The centre will include a sports hall along with meeting rooms that will cater to the various youth clubs, ladies’ clubs, seniors groups, residents’ associations and more.

Speaking at the launch, Mayor McCamley said: “After many years of planning and campaigning, I am very happy to see Mr Rodgers’ dream being realised. 

“Community centres offer varying and extremely important services to locals of all ages and backgrounds. 

“Not only do they provide a venue for sports clubs and community meetings, they offer a social outlet that many in our community value and depend on. 

“I look forward to seeing the projects and events that will be organised and held in this centre in the coming years.”

Director of Housing and Community at the council, Margaret Geraghty, said: “Fingal County Council’s Sports, Community and Culture Department are delighted to see the opening of the Liam Rodgers Centre. 

“Being able to connect with your neighbours and community and contributing to your local area is extremely important for many residents in Fingal. “This centre will cater to an increasingly growing young population who require a dedicated space to access sports and social clubs, outlets which have proven benefits for the well-being of individuals and communities as a whole.”

Fingal County Council chief executive Paul Reid said: “With the fastest growing population in Ireland and the youngest population in Europe, it is in everyone’s best interest to invest in communities through supporting local sports clubs, voluntary groups as well as arts and culture. Having a centre to meet with neighbours, friends and local representatives allows communities to feel closer to each other and Fingal County Council.”