‘Public wants to see action’ as Rock Pool decision nears

‘Public wants to see action’ as Rock Pool decision nears

7 August 2024

THE future of Newcastle’s Rock Pool could be confirmed within the next few weeks.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council – which is responsible for the outdoor facility at South Promenade – is readying itself to publish the detail of a series of surveys on the ageing structure.

Expert engineers have examined the seawater pool in granular detail, combing every inch of the iconic facility which has been closed for over four years.

The council says the surveys have helped paint a picture of the next stage of the work required at the pool where a multi-million pound investment is required to bring it back into use and comply with disabled access legislation in particular.

It was reported two years ago that a painstaking examination of the outdoor pool which opened in the early 1930s and enjoys protected status, was undertaken to determine the exact cost of bringing it back into public use.

Preliminary investigation work at the outdoor facility – which enjoys protected status and was opened in the early 1930s – revealed there were a number of issues which require urgent attention and that considerable costs are involved, potentially as high as £5m.

The pool’s structural integrity was put under the spotlight and it was reported that the concrete structure had extensively degraded, while the filtration system to filter sea water was almost unusable, with seawater pipes so corroded that rust is coming off them and contaminating the water being filtered. 

In addition, the pool is unable to retain water as a result of cracks in the concrete and has been described as no longer fit-for-purpose, with one of the most significant concerns for council officials that the pool does not comply with current health and safety standards, with suggestions that a complete rebuild may required.

It’s understood NI Water is will have a major say on the future of pool after the Environment Agency determined that water from it could not be discharged into the sea as it will contain chlorine. 

As a result, it may have to be pumped to the nearby wastewater treatment plant at the harbour before it can be discharged into the sea, with suggestions that around 730 cubic metres of water would have to be treated at the plant once or twice a week, if the pool reopened to the public. 

NI Water has previously said there is insufficient capacity for showers and toilets at the outdoor pool to discharge into its wastewater system in the resort.

One option moving forward is allowing the Rock Pool to fill with seawater at high tide, but the Recorder understands that for this to happen, major infrastructure investment will still be required. In addition, formal approval will be required from a number of leading statutory agencies.

This week, South Down MLA Colin McGrath and Mournes councillor Laura Devlin said the “public want to see action” on addressing what they described as “long standing issues” at the outdoor pool.

Both are disappointed that it remains closed with no possible indication when it could potentially reopen.

“It is very disappointing that here we are again in the midst of another summer season and one of our most historic and beloved amenities remains closed,” said Mr McGrath.

“This will be a disappointment for the many families and people across Newcastle who had been so looking forward to seeing the pool reopen and for us as elected representatives who have been working to see this completed.”

Mr McGrath also expressed his frustration at the length of time it is taking to see the local authority’s assessment of what is required to reopen the pool sustainably and to examine the options it is proposing. 

“We need to see this now and the public need to know,” he declared.

Mr McGrath said the reopening of the Rock Pool is only one part of what is required in relation to leisure facilities in Newcastle.

Cllr Devlin said the “sustainable reopening” of the pool has been a key priority for her since she was elected, explaining she learnt to swim at the outdoor facility and wants her children to enjoy that experience too.

“There has always been a strong community bond that developed from the Rock Pool with it being a part of people’s cherished memories years later,” she said.

“We want it to be a part of people’s future as well. Colin and I are now in contact with the council to review what the current state of play is for the reopening and how this can be sustained.”

A Newry, Mourne and Down Council spokeswoman confirmed on Monday that the surveys have now been completed.

“The council is finalising its evaluation report based on the survey results and further information will be presented in the coming weeks,” she added.