Broadband boost for community centre in Offaly
Broadband company Imagine announced this week that it would be providing free broadband to Killoughey Community Centre.
The package provided by the Irish broadband provider, which included free installation and two years free of up to 150MB broadband, is part of the company's Connecting Communities Initiative.
An Imagine plaque was mounted at the community centre in Mount Bolus to show that high-speed broadband was available there.
The news came as Imagine continued to extend its network in Offaly to provide high-speed broadband within National Broadband Plan intervention areas or to those properties in urgent need of better broadband.
Imagine worked closely with Offaly County Council, who looked after the WiFi points in the centre under their Wifi4EU project, and the provider will continue to work with the council on a number of their Digital Strategy Projects.
The council is aiming to provide free public WiFi to more than 100 venues and community centres throughout the county in partnership with the Department of Rural and Community Development, the European WiFi4EU initiative and Shannon Broadband.
Sandra Dinan, who heads up the Connecting Communities team in Imagine, commented: "We're thrilled to work alongside Offaly County Council to help give something back and provide free high-speed broadband to Killoughey Community Centre.
"It's never been more important for local communities to have access to broadband and we look forward to working with county councils, throughout the country, to identify similarly worthy recipients."
Local councillors Neil Feighery and Danny Owens were among those who welcomed the development.
"The high-speed connectivity being delivered by Imagine’s Community Engagement Team enables remote-working as well as providing essential communications in rural communities. We are delighted that Killoughey Community Centre is now connected to high-speed broadband and look forward to welcoming visitors," said Cllr Feighery.
Cll Owens added: "I am delighted high-speed broadband is now available at Killoughey Community Centre and I would encourage anybody who wants to use the service to message the committee on its Facebook page."