MORE than £5m is to be invested in cross-community facilities in Ulster's highest village.
The launch of “Connecting Pomeroy” heard how the Peace IV project will develop a visitor centre and enchanted trail in Pomeroy Forest in Co Tyrone.
Funding will also be provided for a new Church of Ireland hall, a 3-G multi-use games area at the Presbyterian Church hall and a gym at the Pomeroy Plunketts GAC.
Pomeroy will also benefit from a public realm upgrade, enhancing footpaths, lighting and planting and helping to connect the new facilities and other parts of the village previously considered to be divided by ‘invisible’ peace walls.
A three-year engagement programme will take place to generate greater contact across the community, particularly among children and young people.
Match-funding for the projects has been provided by the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland and Department of Rural and Community Development in the Republic.
Gina McIntyre, CEO of the Special EU Programmes Body, said: “The different elements making up the Pomeroy project have all been specifically designed to create opportunities for people from all parts of our community to come together."
The chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Martin Kearney, said: “The local community is at the heart of the drive to connect Pomeroy and a strong partnership has been formed."
