Consultants appointed to spearhead leisure centre

Consultants appointed to spearhead leisure centre

22 October 2025

A TEAM of specialist designers, architects and planners has been appointed to spearhead a new £12m leisure centre development in the heart of Newcastle.

The appointment was agreed in secret last week during a meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s influential Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee, with the decision set to be formally rubber-stamped at the local authority’s November meeting.

Ratepayers are to be fully consulted on the design of the multi-million pound project which will be constructed to the rear and side of the current Newcastle Centre, with the Tropicana outdoor swimming pool demolished.

The proposed new facility will feature an indoor leisure pool, three 30 metre swimming lanes, dedicated heated play pool for children and an ultra-modern gymnasium.

Two sites were previously identified for the new multi-million pound leisure centre in the resort, with sports pitches at Donard Park the preferred option.

However, councillors subsequently switched attention to the former St. Mary’s Girls’ Primary School campus at Shanslieve Drive. Despite a number of attempts to secure the site and hopes that a deal could be agreed, it was bought by supermarket giant Lidl.

The focus then switched to the Newcastle Centre site with local politicians now delighted that a so-called integrated consultancy team has been appointed to take the new leisure centre project forward after years of setbacks.

Two weeks ago, council officials reaffirmed the town centre location after some politicians had expressed concern at the proposed leisure complex site in the heart of the resort labelling it ”restricted” and pointing to a lack of parking spaces.

Politicians also suggested examining the potential to locate the new centre on the outskirts of the resort which would have significantly greater parking capacity.

A list of potential sites examined for the £12m facility are to be provided to politicians with explanations why they were rejected after council officials warned that moving away from the preferred location could set the project back by up to a decade.

They insisted the preferred option is to build the ultra-modern complex in the town centre.

Initial designs have been drawn up with consultants who will drive the scheme forward examining these and engaging with the public ahead of a formal planning application being lodged.

Council officials say they simply could not recommend considering an alternative site at this time “given the risk associated with it” and it was important to stick with the current location and liaise with public to examine various design options for the site.

The way forward was agreed during last Thursday evening’s meeting of the council committee with the decision confirmed by its chairwoman, Cllr Oonagh Hanlon.

In open session, she said it was agreed to approve the appointment of the integrated consultancy team to progress the delivery of the new leisure centre on the Newcastle site following the recent procurement exercise.

It was anticipated the consultants would have been appointed at the end of the summer or early September, with some councillors pushing the local authority to press ahead with plans to redevelop the resort’s outdoor seawater Rock Pool at South Promenade.

No reference was made to the Rock Pool at last week’s committee meeting.

It was previously agreed that consultants would be appointed to carry out a detailed investigation at the outdoor pool and once that task had been completed, the local authority would decide its future.

Preliminary investigation work revealed there are a number of issues which require urgent attention and that considerable costs are involved, with suggestions the local authority may join forces with the Newcastle community in a bid to secure grant funding to carry out much-needed repairs.

It has been reported that the Rock Pool’s concrete structure has extensively degraded, while the filtration system to filter sea water is almost unusable, with seawater pipes so corroded that rust is coming off them and contaminating 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.

A Newry, Mourne and Down Council spokeswoman confirmed a report to appoint an integrated consultancy team to progress the delivery of the new leisure centre was approved at last week’s Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee meeting.

She said it is subject to ratification at the November meeting of full

Council and further information will be announced in due course.