Council to press ahead with leisure centre plan

Council to press ahead with leisure centre plan

14 November 2012

A SERIES of meetings are to be held to discuss plans for a new multi-million pound leisure centre at Donard Park in Newcastle.

Down Council this week agreed to begin the process of appointing consultants to design the new £7.5m project, but no final decision has yet been taken about its exact location within the Donard Park footprint.

It was initially suggested the centre should be located on the site of an existing soccer pitch which runs parallel with the main car park, but utilising the former St. Patrick’s Boys’ Primary School site at Shanslieve Drive which backs on to Donard Park has been suggested by some politicians.

Councillors agreed on Monday night to go to tender to appoint consultants who have been asked to examine all options and costs for delivering the new centre, including where any replacement sports pitches would need to be located.

Yesterday, local MLAs met with education officials to discuss the possible sale or lease of the former school site at Shanslieve Drive, while the issue of the new leisure centre will top the agenda at tonight’s meeting of Newcastle Chamber of Commerce.

Down Council plans to hold a public meeting in Newcastle within the next few weeks to gauge public reaction to the leisure proposal, while Sinn Fein is hosting its own public meeting to discuss the proposal towards the end of the month.

Councillors say they recognise the need to advance the new leisure centre proposal as concern mounts about pumping ratepayers’ money into the crumbling Newcastle Centre which has passed its sell-by-date.

It was agreed on Monday night that once consultants have examined all potential sites and the associated cost implications, a final decision will be taken on the location of the new leisure centre.

It was also confirmed the South Eastern Trust is keen to relocate Newcastle Clinic to the new leisure centre as part of a health and well-being investment initiative, with councillors keen to see this delivered.

Council recreation director, Michael Lipsett, said he has already met with a number of groups in Newcastle to discuss the proposed new leisure centre and will be at tonight’s meeting of the Chamber of Commerce.

He said appointing design consultants is a key part of the process to produce the business case required to deliver the project.

Mr. Lipsett confirmed he has also spoken with local schools to discuss the potential of Down Council sharing their existing sports pitches. The council director said he has spoken with the principals of Shimna College and St. Mary’s Primary School.

The council director said while the the former school site at Shanslieve Drive has been suggested as a potential base for a new leisure centre, the campus is not currently for sale and there would be major access issues to overcome.