The new Belfast community hub bringing an interface area together

A new shared community building has officially opened in an interface area of Belfast.

The Black Mountain Shared Space hub, located at the former Finlay’s factory site on Ballygomartin Road, took over 10 years of planning to come together and involved the removal of over 30 metres of peace wall.

The new building represents funding of £7 million and will provide vital services for local residents in the Ballygomartin and Springmartin communities, as well as an extensive programme of activities to encourage people from different backgrounds to spend time together.

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Speaking to Belfast Live at the official opening of the hub, Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Micky Murray, said: "It's part of a wider £21million project into building peace in North and West Belfast. From Black Mountain right down to the city centre we're creating a peace corridor, and for this site in particular, we've taken down 30 metres of so-called peace walls in the city. This has gone a great way towards building that united and integrated community we all want.

"We're just so delighted to see the space open and being used by the community. The hope is we build that truly united community we all want to live in and that this space becomes a beacon of hope for the wider community."

Michelle Bradley and Lily Brannon live on opposite sides of the peace wall, but have been brought together by a women's group that now operates from the centre.

Michelle Bradley and Lily Brannon speaking to Belfast Live
Michelle Bradley and Lily Brannon speaking to Belfast Live -Credit:Harry Bateman/Belfast Live

"Before the building was open, Springhill Community House were really good and offered us a meeting room on a Thursday morning, but we were very limited in what we could do. But now, we can do so many more things as we have the space to do it," Michelle said.

The friends have urged the wider community to get behind the shared space and enjoy the range of events on offer every day. They said that although those using the facility have different views, all opinions and debates are respected.

Lily said: "For some people, it's hard for them to move forward and they're stuck in the past, they just won't come up to the building. But if you could just get them in, they would love it. It's a few people, but some people are stuck in the past and can't forgive and forget."

Michelle added: "But they will, people go at their own pace. We're just lucky we have a great friendship with the ladies in our group, we'll organise trips and go on holidays, it's been really positive."

The Black Mountain Shared Space
The Black Mountain Shared Space -Credit:Belfast City Council

Paul Millar, chair of the Black Mountain Shared Space Project, said the centre was transformative and is being used regularly by local residents. He added: "The project has been around 12 years in the making and it only opened about two months ago. But before that, you have to work on the ground with community groups.

"In other parts of the world, it wouldn't be as significant but because this area and space was quite a contentious site, two communities with totally different views, foundations had to be built over the years with community groups, individuals, local residents, and our staff have done that.

"They've laid a very deep foundation. What is easy to see is a beautiful big building, but you don't see what's going on behind the scenes to get us there, and the people from the local communities who have dug deep and supported us.

"We're delighted the community groups we've worked with over the years now have a home. It's a shared meeting point; you could have a Gaelic team coming off training and a football team from Highfield walking in after - you never had that inteaction before. A lot of that is down to the work staff have done, and to the funders too, but when you see the bricks and mortar, what a building it is.

(l-r): Kieran Moylan from the Department of Rural and Community Development, Gina McIntyre from SEUPB, Lord Mayor Councillor Micky Murray, Paul Millar from Black Mountain Shared Space and John Smith from the Department for Communities.
(l-r): Kieran Moylan from the Department of Rural and Community Development, Gina McIntyre from SEUPB, Lord Mayor Councillor Micky Murray, Paul Millar from Black Mountain Shared Space and John Smith from the Department for Communities. -Credit:Belfast City Council

"There's some things we do in this country and we don't really think about them, and in other countries you don't have to. For example, we had to look at signage in English and Irish, we had to look at how we handle people wearing different football jerseys or Gaelic jerseys.

"These are all things societies in the south of Ireland don't have to look at, but thanks to the strength of the community work we've done over the years, big decisions were made but made quickly as everybody knew it was for the greater good."

The project was funded by the EU’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Match-funding has been provided by the Department for Communities and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland. Funding was also provided by Belfast City Council.

Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), said: “The PEACE Programmes realised the extensive benefits of investing in the creation of shared spaces, such as the superb Black Mountain facility. They can provide an essential catalyst for socio-economic change – bringing people together, while also transforming and regenerating what may have previously been areas and communities that felt left behind and alienated.

“This work is vital in our society in relation to finding opportunities for peacebuilding, reconciliation and delivering a more inclusive place for this and future generations. These spaces help to break down stereotypes, dispel prejudices and promote a sense of mutual respect and understanding.

“Segregation increases social division and tension, which in turn also inhibits economic development and the efficient delivery of public services. Shared spaces are designed to be used by everyone across the community; changing attitudes and behaviours with a corresponding reduction in segregation.”

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