Delamont centre axe decision put on hold

Delamont centre axe decision put on hold

12 April 2017

DELAMONT Outdoor Education Centre has received a stay of execution after being prepared for imminent closure.

The Killyleagh-based centre was due to shut its doors last week under Education Authority cost-cutting proposals.

But this week education officials said they were still considering almost 2,000 responses from a public consultation on the plans.

Back in November Delamont was earmarked as the first of several residential and outdoor centres in Northern Ireland to close following a rationalisation review.

It was also announced in November that Ardnabannon in Castlewellan could close this August and that Killyleagh Outdoor Education Centre could be scaled down to a self-catering facility from June. A decision on their future is also currently on hold.

The closure plans have met with considerable local opposition —there have been 1,850 responses to the consultation, which ended on February 6.

In a statement the Authority said: “The Education Authority is currently considering the responses to the consultation. The review recommendations will not be implemented until this process is complete.”

SDLP MLA Colin McGrath said centres such as Delamont were a “vibrant and integral part of our local education community”.

“I was delighted to hear that Delamont has won a stay of execution,” he said.

“In light of the huge public backlash, the Education Authority has announced that they are holding off on closure until all of the consultation responses have been considered. Whilst this is very welcome news, it in no way means the fight is over.

“What about Ardnabannon?  We need to keep these centres front and centre of our campaign.

“Since the closure announcement last year, I have taken the fight to Stormont’s Education Committee. I have met with the Education Minister, the Education Authority, trade unions, staff, services users and school principals.”

Mr McGrath added: “I want to praise the public who have come out strongly in opposition to 

such closures. It is vital that we have our devolved institutions back up and running so that the Education Authority can be held to account. All of these decisions to close must be reversed.”

Killyleagh councillor Billy Walker said it was crucial to keep the pressure up.

“I remember years ago when there were plans to close Killyleagh High School,” he said.

“Because of the publicity around it they held fire for another term, before deciding to close it. I therefore would not be complacent. I would not be taking my eye off the ball.

“As I have said before, these centres provide invaluable cross-community opportunities for children across Northern Ireland.”

Rowallane councillor Terry Andrews said: “I welcome the news and I firmly believe it is a victory for common sense. Delamont provides such a pivotal role for so many young people from all walks of life and different backgrounds and gives everyone a wonderful chance to enjoy and avail of an excellent facility in one of the most scenic parts of the country.”

Lisa Wells, from Castlewellan, who has been behind an online petition to save Ardnabannon Outdoor Education Centre, said she hoped a change of heart was still possible.

Lisa, whose children, Áine and Conrad, are among thousands who have enjoyed using the facility over the past 49 years, said a price couldn’t be put on the value of the centre.

“My two children have both stayed there with school and their dad works there,” she said.

“I think it is extremely encouraging to see the number of responses to the proposed closures and I am happy to hear the news about the stay of execution. We must keep up the fight.

“It has been so gratifying to read some of the comments people have left on the petition. The staff have been blown away by some of them.”

Lisa said that the almost 3,500 responses on her change.org petition had been highlighted to the Education Authority through NIPSA and that the petition remained open.

“We are going to keep on fighting,” she said. “I would also like to thank MP Margaret Ritchie who got in touch and has been very supportive.”