A MULTI-million pound redevelopment of Andersonstown Social Club (PD) is underway with a promise of giving something back to the local community.
Now, we can reveal more details of the plans, with work already well underway.
Chairman Marty Lynch began by looking back at the club's important history and how it is relevant today.
"The PD (Prisoners Dependents) club was built against the background of conflict in 1971," he explained. "This area had the biggest amount of people burnt out in other areas of Belfast.
"Local people built this club to facilitate and support prisoners who were interned and jailed during that struggle. The club was built by local people for local people. It became a focal point throughout the conflict.
"Two bar managers – Danny Burke and Jack McCartan – were shot dead here by the British Army.
"Three decades on, it is very much part of the community and we pride ourselves on giving back to the community.
"Our redevelopment plans are for the community. Our motto is the community supports the club, the club wants to support the community.
"We also support the community in other aspects including the GAA, local sports teams, Féile and countless charity work. It all goes hand in hand.
"Our history is very important and that will be reflected even more in the redevelopment."
As for the redevelopment plans, work is currently ongoing with the new lounge expected to be opened in time for Christmas and a new entrance/outside terraced area on course to be ready for next summer.
"Over the last year, we have built two new bars, one in the games room in the back and one in the lounge," added Marty.
"Recently, we added on an extension for the ladies toilets and we are converting the men’s toilets.
"The next step is the redevelopment of the lounge and then starting to build a new outside and front. This will include an outside terrace.
"After that, we will be extending the function room right out.
"This used to be your standard club. Nowadays because of the prices in town, younger people are coming here. We want to build a club for both our older members and younger ones.
"It is a very exciting time for us. I hope that around summer next year, everything will be done, except the extension of the main hall which will be further down the line.
"If you can provide top-class facilities, people will come and support you. If we can get Casement built and other projects done in the area, that excites me too because it is all about giving back to the community."
Ciarán Robinson, who is Design and Build contractor for the PD redevelopment project, added: "It is exciting to be involved. We are phasing through and maintaining the operation of the club.
"The whole club is getting an entire facelift and being from the local area, it means a lot to me to be involved."
