Bryson LaganSports is awarded a major grant from the Big Lottery Fund to make its Belfast centre more energy efficient. Bryson LaganSports, on the banks of the River Lagan in Ravenhill, is receiving £49,670 to carry out works to their two-storey venue built on top of a water-fronted warehouse dating back to the late Victorian or early Edwardian era.

The organisation aims to provide opportunities to participate in watersports and other outdoor activities, in particular to marginalised communities and in this way support healthy lifestyles, personal development and cross community/inter-ethnic understanding.  It delivers fun and developmental water sport activities.  Young people, youth groups, school and uniformed groups, adults, families have all participated in activities.

Improvements will include insulating the floor between the water basement, where boats are stored, and the first floor of the centre and insulating other parts of the building. The windows on the riverside will be fitted with upgraded double glazing to reduce heat loss, and solar panels to produce electricity will be installed. 

Development Manager Siobhan Caulfield said that “The photovoltaic panels will reduce the amount of electricity we use and will also generate a small income. This work will make the centre much warmer and we estimate we will cut our energy bills by 20 per cent. Any savings will be put back into the resources we offer the community.”

Bryson LaganSports is one of three Belfast groups to be awarded grants totalling over £146,000 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Energy Efficient Venues programme. The programme, which is now closed for applications, offers Lottery cash to local groups to carry out improvements to their community venues so they make savings on their heating and lighting costs and cut down on their spending.  The other groups are the Cedar Foundation andSt Paul’s Gaelic Athletic Club, Belfast

Frank Hewitt, the Big Lottery Fund’s NI Chair said:“The Energy Efficient Venues programmesupports communityorganisations to carry out energy efficiency improvements to their venues that help them make savings during this difficult period of recession, and have a positive effect on the environment.   

“This has been a very popular programme and we have awarded grants to a range of organisations across Northern Ireland. Organisations should be aware that the programme is now closed for applications.”   

The Energy Efficient Venues programme is closed for applications. To find about more about the programme visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk