Users ‘annoyed’ as facilities closed at Newcastle Centre

Users ‘annoyed’ as facilities closed at Newcastle Centre

10 January 2024

THE steam room and sauna at the Newcastle Centre are to remain closed until further notice, it has been confirmed.

The facilities were closed to the public two days before Christmas following an annual inspection at the Central Promenade building which highlighted health and safety concerns.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council – which owns and manages the building – said the steam room and sauna will remain closed until further notice.

It’s understood that the necessary repair work will be carried out and that the facilities were closed after council officials studied the detail of the annual inspection report carried out at the building.

A number of statutory compliance issues have arisen which need to be addressed before the public can access the steam room and sauna again.

News of the closure, which sparked a major reaction on social media, comes ahead of a promised update this month on plans for a new multi-million pound leisure centre in the heart of the resort.

Many have criticised the closure of the steam room and sauna over the festive period with one woman revealing that almost 300 people across the resort signed up to use the facilities but now cannot.

“I’m really annoyed to find out the leisure centre has decided to close the steam room and sauna due to the facilities being classed as not up to standard,” she said.

“It’s time for our local representatives to get involved to help maintain what little facilities we have left in the town. At this rate we will be left with the promenade and nothing else.”

The closure of the facilities was described by another resident as a “disgrace” who said that in addition to the gym, they are great for the community and people’s mental health.

Others accused the local authority of concentrating its leisure provision focus on Downpatrick and Kilkeel, with another threatening to cancel his Be Active membership to use the district’s leisure facilities and go elsewhere.

A Newry, Mourne and Down Council spokeswoman confirmed the steam room and sauna at the Newcastle Centre are currently closed due to maintenance issues.

She explained these were highlighted through the annual service inspection carried out in December and that in the interest of public health and safety, these areas will remain closed until further notice.

“Public notification signs are on display in the centre and a notification through the Be Active app, went out last Wednesday to advise members and users,” the spokeswoman added.

Ambitious plans for a new multi-million pound leisure facility in the resort are being drawn up with local councillors due to provided with the latest update within weeks.

Following the completion of a detailed feasibility study – which looked at a number of potential locations – the Newcastle Centre site in the heart of the resort emerged as the firm favourite to house the new facility.

Proposals are being worked up to build a new complex at the rear of the Main Street building with the current Tropicana outdoor pool bulldozed and replaced with an indoor facility in the proposed new build.

Redeveloping the existing Newcastle Centre which forms part of the Annesley Buildings has been ruled out due to the scale of the costs involved and the fact that it cannot accommodate the needs of local people due to the size of its rooms.

It’s understood that the planned new-build will be larger than the current centre which is a listed building and poses major problems for the council in transforming it into an energy efficient facility which meets current building regulations and standards.

Plans to redevelop the Main Street site, which council officials insist will not impact on part of the promenade at the rear, are being driven by the local authority.

Senior council officials have consistently maintained that the Newcastle project is a priority and that there will be detailed public consultation on the way forward.

Consultants will be appointed to design the planned new centre which is a key component of the council’s corporate plan.

Council officials say they recognise that as one of Northern Ireland’s premier tourist resorts, Newcastle does not have a modern indoor leisure facility which has been its Achilles heel for some considerable time.

Two sites were previously identified for a new 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 with local church officials, it was bought by supermarket giant Lidl.

Politicians are keen for the local authority to take the lead and ensure that a high class leisure facility, which has been talked about in the resort for decades, is finally delivered in Newcastle.