Historic day for Drumquin as new gym opens

INCOMING DUP leader Edwin Poots said the new state-of-the-art gym facility in Drumquin was a shining example of what could be achieved with vision, hard work and community engagement.

The DUP leader designate and Minister for Communities, Deirdre Hargey, both attended the official opening of ‘The Well Community Gym’ on Friday morning.

The new facility, with the assistance of a number of major funders including Fermanagh and Omagh LAG, was recently completed at a total cost of £625,000.

“It’s a gym at the heart of the community and the uptake in membership, which costs just £10 a month, has been phenomenal.

Mr Poots heaped praised of those behind the ambitious project.

“Drumquin is leading the way in what the community has done here, in coming together to create a fitness and wellbeing centre. That’s really good news and it’s very positive,” said the DEARA Minister.

“It’s a demonstration of what can be achieved if communities work together. Over the years we have had communities which have been fractured and that doesn’t achieve an awful lot.

“This is a facility that people can come out and enjoy and that’s something I regard as hugely positive. This facility is cost effective and any money that is made is ploughed back into the community.”

Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey, concurred with those sentiments and added that it was good to see a wide range of sports being represented at the opening.

“This facility is at the heart of the community just like the sporting codes that are here, be it Gaelic games, be it soccer, be it rugby and be it hockey,” she said.

“We have international stars amongst us as well, those really at the grassroots making a difference and knitting into their community.

“I’m delighted to be here along with Edwin on behalf of the Executive to say that sport, community engagement and health and wellbeing play a real part in the community and we want to do all we can to support more projects like this in the time ahead.”

The cutting of the ribbons was conducted by Ireland hockey star Shirley McCay and Tyrone GAA team joint-manager Feargal Logan.

McCay, the most capped sportsperson in Ireland with 306 caps and who lives just two miles from the Omagh Road-based facility, described it as an historic day for Drumquin.

“I’m a Drumquin native and I’m very proud of that. I’m always delighted to come back home. I’m always proud to put Drumquin on the map and never in my lifetime did I think I would see a top quality facility that we have here today,” said the former Omagh Academy pupil.

“This is testament to Frankie (Donnelly) and all the people around him in making sure it happened. Drumquin is a little village steeped in history and it’s made more history today. I’m very proud to be part of that.”

Tyrone senior manager Logan added, “I’m delighted to see the benefit of the gym, I know how it works. It becomes a hub for everyone in the community. I can only commend the endeavour that has been put in by everybody to make sure there is a central hub for fitness and wellbeing.

“We see the benefit for it in sport and in life and people’s general well-being.”