Some news for any Bridge Centre which qualifies as a “Community Centre” (i.e. which shares its facilities with other bodies, to meet the following definition: “A building that is managed by a community-based organisation which is open to and used by a broad range of individuals and groups within the local community for group activities such as social events, information/supports, and recreation.”)
The government offers funding to such centres every two years via the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF), and the current round of funding closes on 13 July. You’ll find full details here.
If you are not ready to apply for these funds currently, there will presumably be another tranche in summer 2028. The grant is administered by Pobal, and the definition of a “Community Centre” is a fairly liberal one – renting your premises to another community group on a lease of 7 years or more qualifies, so there may be opportunities for Bridge Centres to lease their space to other community groups when it is not in use, or for bridge clubs to sign up as tenants with existing Community Centres. The CCIF grants are for capital expenditure to improve the premises, making them safer, more accessible, more energy efficient, and generally better suited to community use.