Health Village is welcomed

Councillor Baird commented, “Having been promised this new building 12 years ago I am very pleased that the pressure that I put on our UUP colleagues at the Assembly paid off. I am delighted that this project has finally been given the go ahead.

“The people of Banbridge deserve this new Centre and it will alleviate pressures on other areas of the Health Service. I would like to praise Messrs Gardiner and Savage, the MLAs for Upper Bann, for all of the hard work which they put in at Assembly level to make this happen.”

Councillor Burns added, “Over the last 18 months I was in constant contact with our local MLA, Mr Sam Gardiner (a member of the Health Committee in Stormont) asking if he would ensure that monies would be secured to enable this project to proceed.

“I received numerous letters from Mr Gardiner on the matter. His correspondence assured me that he was constantly ‘battling’ to ensure that the funding would be set aside for this must needed facility. I am pleased to say that Mr Gardiner is a man of his word and he did not let the people of Banbridge down.”

Sam Gardiner stated, “I have worked tirelessly to secure this new facility for the people of Banbridge. The new premises will enhance the dignity and privacy for users, patients, visitors and for staff. I have seen the plans of the new facility and the building is of an innovative design and will be very attractive.

Councillors Baird and Burns indicated that they were saddened to learn that the local Banbridge Pre-School Centre has to find new premises to enable the new build project to proceed. Both Councillors are, however, willing to help Linda McAdam in her quest to find alternative premises to accommodate the nursery.