Inform Newsletter Spring Summer 2015

05 06 What does the newFermanagh&OmaghDistrict look like? Our district is a place of outstanding natural beauty, with a uniquemix of tranquil lakelands, heather cladmountains, ancient boglands, forest parks, historic towns and villages and a rich cultural heritage. Not only is it recognised for its unique and beautiful landscape, but also for its quality facilities and services; for the talents, skills and creativity of its people; and as a placewhere quality of life is promoted and valued. The Fermanagh andOmaghDistrict Council area covers 2,829km 2 , 20%of the landmass of Northern Ireland, making it the largest, geographically, of the 11 newcouncil areas, yet in contrast to this the newdistrict has the smallest population with 114,365 people. The population density of 41 people per km 2 is the sparsest inNI. This is a feature of the regionwhich provides challenges to service delivery. There are 7,340 businesses in the region, mainly compiled of micro businesses in the agriculture, construction and retail sectors, and 38,500 jobs. Tourism is worth an estimated £86m to the district and is one of the region’s largest economic drivers. The newdistrict’s population has increased by 9,281 people since 2000 and is projected to grow by an additional 5,742 people by 2025. We have an ageing population – only 13%were aged 65 or over in 2000; by 2013 that had increased to 15%and is projected to increase to 20%by 2025. The ageing populationwill have an impact on Fermanagh and Omagh, this is a significant factor andwill need to be considered in the community planning process. Fifty percent of all school leavers in the district proceed to higher education; a further 30%go on to further education and 11%enter directly into the labourmarket. This is a strong performance, ahead of national averages. Of those living in the region, 22%hold a degree or equivalent qualification; 46%have a qualification belowdegree level and 32%have no formal qualifications. This is an improvement on the position in 2001. Only oneward in the district is ranked amongst the 100most deprivedwards inNI, however, 5 of the 10most remotewards inNI are locatedwithin the district. Over 20%of the population have a long termhealth problemor disability that limits their daily activities and a further 11%provide unpaid care to family, friends or neighbours. The evidence shows a diverse region, different from themajority and going against current urbanisation trends. This data has been compiled as part of a muchwider, ongoing data gathering exercisewhich will inform the newcommunity planning process and aims to assist in ensuring that appropriate needs and priorities are targeted. The Council acknowledges the support of the Smart Region project in assistingwith data collection and analysis. Key facilities of Fermanagh andOmaghDistrict Council The newFermanagh andOmaghDistrict Council has awide range of excellent facilities. These include state of the art recycling facilities at Drummee outside Enniskillen andGortrush on the edge of Omagh. Both of these have extensive opening hours throughout the year. In addition there are a range of Household Recycling Centres located across the district. Leisure Complexes in the district include Omagh Leisure Complex and Fermanagh Lakeland Forum, each having swimming pools, modern high-tech gyms and fitness suites, sports pitches and running tracks and facilities for a range of indoor sports, as well as comprehensive programmes of fitness and training classes and events. Omagh Leisure Complex has undergone a complete refurbishment in recent years, and the new3 pool swimming facility opened last July. The Council plans to invest £1.4million in the upgrade of Fermanagh Lakeland Forumover the next three years. In addition, the Castle Park Leisure Centre in Lisnaskea and the Bawnacre Centre in Irvinestown each provide indoor and outdoor leisure facilities. Key TourismandHeritage facilities in the Fermanagh andOmaghDistrict Council area includeMarble ArchCaves Global Geopark and EnniskillenCastleMuseum. TheMarble ArchCaves is amongst the finest showcaves in Europe. FermanaghCountyMuseum is housed in EnniskillenCastle. Aproject to refurbish theMuseumand to create aHeritageGateway to Fermanagh is currently underwaywhich, when completed, will provide a state of the art introduction to tourismand heritage facilities in the region. The Council is seeking to develop an extensive trail network for walkers and mountain bikers withinGortinGlen Forest Park, which is located 6miles outside of Omagh. This will complement thewider tourismproduct within the Sperrins region. Fermanagh andOmaghDistrict Council is committed to supporting the community and both owns and supports community centres across the district. InOmagh three community centres, Strathroy, Hospital Road andCKS, provide excellent facilities for local communities. Additional community centres in the district are located at Belcoo, Belleek, Ederney, Kesh, Newtownbutler and Rosslea. The Council has two arts centres which cater for a range of arts events and include auditoriums for performances. The Ardhowen, in a stunning setting on the lakeside in Enniskillen, opened in 1986 and is a building of character and charmwith a 290 seat theatrewhile Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, which opened in 2007, is a purpose- built arts venuewith an auditorium capacity for 386, an exhibition gallery, lecture theatre and studios for dance, ceramics, print making and recording. In addition to these key facilities the Councils owns 46 public toilets, 115 Play Areas, 18Multi UseGames Areas (MUGAs) and 15 outdoor gyms. The Council also has cemetries inOmagh, Fintona and Enniskillen. Omagh Enniskillen Kesh Lack Tempo Monea Beragh Rousky Gortin Clabby Donagh Belcoo Creggan Glenhul Eskragh Fintona Dromore Ederney Cooneen Rosslea Teemore Pettigo Milltown Mountjoy Drumquin Garvaghy Trillick Derrylin Kinawley Garrison Seskinore Kilskeery Killadeas Lisbellaw Lisnaskea Mountfield Lisnarrick Carrickmore Greencastle Irvinestown Bellanaleck Carrybridge Brookborough Magheraveely Newtownbutler Florencecourt Derrygonnelly Ballinamallard Castle Archdale Gortatole Marble Arch 0300 303 1777 For information or to contact any of the council services use the newcouncil number listed above followus Formore news and events in the district you can followus on social media ourmission Leading & serving our community, workingwith others to promote quality of life, quality places and quality services for all Kilometres Belleek