Ballindangan Hall under threat of closure
After more than 40 years, it looks as if Ballindangan Hall could close, as less than ten people turned up to the AGM there recently.
Ballindangan Community Council announced the grim decision this week, as chairman Tony Buckley told The Avondhu that they do not want to close the hall, but if no new people show any interest in getting involved, they will have no choice but to lock up for the very last time on March 15.
Tony has been involved with the hall for more than 30 years and has been chairman for the past two years, but he said that he would love to see young people and parents getting involved, as it would breathe new life into the community centre.
"We came to boiling point, a lot of groups use the hall, but if it closes, it would be another nail in the coffin for this rural area," Tony said.
He added that while a lot of people come from Mitchelstown, Kildorrery and other areas to use the hall, there seems to be a lack of local interest, as those in the immediate area around the hall don't use it and do not want to get involved.
"It's a shame that it had to come to this," Tony told The Avondhu. "When you go to meetings and lotto draws to see the same three or four faces, it is very demoralising," he added.
The hall is used for a number of activities with pilates, Tai Chi, fitness classes, Glanworth Juvenile GAA training and a Monday morning club all taking place each week. It's also used for the text alert meetings and by the national school.
The chairman stressed that people are afraid that if they show up to a meeting, they will be given a job, but he said that they are just looking for people to show an interest and help the committee to run the hall.
The committee are now appealing to the public to come to a meeting on March 11 at 8pm in the hall and if no new faces come along, the committee will be closing the book on Ballindangan Hall for a final time.
Published:
Friday 7th March 3:18pm
