Liberty news

£250,000 for St Teresa’s

Laurence Mackin reports on an ambitious plan to revamp the notorious flat complex

St Teresa’s Gardens is to receive a major facelift in an urban renewal project costing over £250,000.

The project will be funded by the Dublin Inner City Partnership (ICP) and Dublin Corporation, with work set to start immediately.

The scheme has three elements - the laying of an all-weather multi-purpose pitch for the residents, the changing of a three-bedroomed flat into a drop-in centre and an environmental improvement project.

Martina Kenna of St Teresa’s Combined Tenant’s Committee asserts that "the project is a result of the continuing partnership and co-operation between a variety of local groups and organisations including SWICN, the ICP, St Teresa’s Gardens Resident’s Committee and the Corporation. The project is evidence of the growing commitment by the government to building a strong secure community in the heart of the city, and the rejuvenation of the inner city areas".

The pitch is the costliest part of the project. Its all-weather surface will allow it to be used as a football pitch, tennis court and basketball court. The pitch will also include a playground for kids which will be supervised and floodlit for night time use. This playground will be the first of its kind in the area.

The pitch itself will cost £160,000, with £80,000 coming from both the Corporation and the ICP. Three full-time jobs will be available through FAS schemes in supervisory and maintenance capacities.

The second part of the scheme is the provision of a multi-functional drop-in centre. A three-bedroomed flat will be renovated for this purpose and it is hoped that it will be used by the entire community. The centre, like the playground, will be fully supervised and it is intended that it will operate as a focus for community activity as well as being a place where youngsters can socialise. In an effort to avoid delay in setting up the facility, the renovations will be carried out by a private contractor, rather than the Corporation.

The final part of the scheme is an environmental ‘regreening’ project. Five local youths will be employed to create and care for gardens and trees around the flats. The aim of the project, according to Martina Kenna, is to "put the garden back in St Teresa’s Garden". The equipment needed for the creation and maintenance of the gardens will be provided by the Corporation. John Gallagher of SWICN is confident that the scheme "will bring the Gardens back to life".

Work begins in May and locals are confident that parts of the project will be carried out by the end of the Autumn, with the rest to be completed over the next two years.