LOCAL politicians are up in arms over suggestions that the new Down Leisure Centre will not be built as originally proposed.
A major increase in the cost of preparing the ground at Lower Market Street in Downpatrick to build the new £12m facility has prompted council officers to contemplate reducing the size of the new centre to ensure the scheme remains within budget.
The Recorder understands officers are suggesting reducing the size of the proposed swimming pool, abandoning plans for a spectator area overlooking it and not fitting electronic touch pads used to time racing events.
Council officers are also suggesting that the size of the proposed sports hall in the new leisure centre should be reduced.
Politicians have expressed opposition to any tinkering with the proposed new leisure centre and have called a special council meeting to discuss the issue, with many making it clear they are not prepared to sanction any changes.
The leisure centre issue was briefly discussed by local politicians on Monday night when they agreed to call the special meeting to discuss the future of the multi-million pound facility.
Councillor Stephen Burns, chairman of Down Council’s Recreation Committee, said he was “incandescent with rage” at any suggestion to dumb down the plans for an elite sports facility in Downpatrick.
“The suggested changes are fairly dramatic to say the least and will result in the ratepayers not being provided with the quality of build they were originally promised,” he declared. “The public has a right to know what exactly is happening here.
“The changes which are being bandied about are massive. They need to be discussed in detail by this council and I for one am not at all happy with what I am hearing.”
Councillor Burns said any move to reduce the size and quality of the new Down Leisure Centre which has been sold to the people of the area will be rigorously opposed.
Downpatrick councillor John Doris said the proposed special council meeting needs to happen soon as “there are a lot of things about the new leisure centre that councillors don’t know about.”
Councillor Éamonn Mac Con Midhe claimed that if other Down Council buildings required additional investment the money would be provided.
He said the new leisure centre should be built as originally planned and expressed opposition to tinkering with the building in any way.
Councillor Mac Con Midhe added: “The new leisure centre should be built as proposed. The people of Down District have backed the investment and there must be no changes.”