From a cabin to the centre of community life: 30 Years of the Gasyard Development Trust

It all started back in 1996 with humble beginnings – a single cabin on site and a simple but powerful idea: to create opportunities for local people and build a community space that truly belonged to them. That spirit hasn't changed, even as everything else has.

"The Trust started with very little in terms of physical space, but there was always a strong belief in what the community could achieve," says Linda McKinney, General Manager.

The real game-changer came in 2001 when the purpose-built Gasyard Centre opened its doors. Finally, there was a permanent home for the community and voluntary groups that needed it located right in the heart of the community. Those early days involved a total of seven tenants and four rentable spaces. While this may seem modest, it was the foundation for something special that would evolve and grow over the years to follow.

Over those years, the Centre has indeed grown steadily, guided by a management team that understood the community's pulse and a Board of Directors who never wavered in their support. Through funding squeezes and shifting priorities, they kept the ship steady, never lost focus or clarity of purpose in terms of the mission and the vision for the future.

"The Board's guidance and belief in the long-term vision of the Gasyard has been vital at every stage of its development," Linda McKinney adds.

That vision reached new heights with last year's major refurbishment of the Gasyard Centre – the biggest transformation the building has seen since it first opened. Walk through the doors now and you'll find six permanent tenants, eleven rentable spaces, and the recently opened Peacemakers Museum, a powerful tribute to the Bogside community's journey from conflict to peace, told through personal stories, artefacts and precious archive material.

It's not just a community facility anymore – it's become a cultural landmark, drawing in school groups, visitors and locals alike.

But ask Linda McKinney if the job's done, and she'll tell you they're only getting started.

"The Gasyard is nowhere near a finalised state – we have plans in the pipeline and, most importantly, the flexibility to adapt to the needs of our service users."

None of this would have been possible without the people who've worked here over the years. Each member of staff, past and present, has brought their own spark – their skills, their ideas, their commitment. Together, they've kept the Centre relevant, responsive and rooted in what matters most.

From that temporary cabin to today's thriving hub, the Gasyard Development Trust's story is one of steady, determined growth built on community values. As it looks ahead, it continues to evolve – shaped by strong leadership, a supportive Board, dedicated staff and a community that has always believed in the power of this place.