Go ahead given for £13m leisure centre

Go ahead given for £13m leisure centre

30 April 2014

THERE has been a major breakthrough in plans to build a new multi-million pound leisure centre in the heart of Downpatrick.

Stormont Environment Minister Mark Durkan will confirm this morning that he has given planning approval to the £13.6m facility at Lower Market Street.

Scheduled to open to the public in November 2016, the new centre will feature a 25 metre swimming pool, four court sports hall, a fitness suite, squash court, multi-purpose spa and relaxation area.

The new complex will be constructed in front of the town’s current leisure centre which is to be bulldozed when its replacement has been built.

This morning’s announcement comes after months of intense discussions between the Environment Agency, Down Council officials and Stormont ministers about conditions which are to be attached to the planning approval because the new complex is being constructed on top of a former dump.

Environment Agency officials want to carry out inspection work as construction work progresses and if any issues arise with regard to contaminated ground, work at the affected part of the site will stop.

Confirming planning approval is now in place, Mr. Durkan described the proposed new leisure centre as “welcome news” for Downpatrick, injecting investment into the local economy.

“It will bring new and improved leisure facilities the whole community can enjoy. This will help to improve health and well-being by providing excellent sport and leisure facilities for the people in the area,” he said. “Decisions like this are helping to deliver a better environment and a stronger economy.”

Down Council chief executive, Mr. John Dumigan, described securing planning approval for the multi-million pound facility as “absolutely brilliant news.”

He said he’s delighted the project has now reached this stage, describing the formal planning approval as “good news for Downpatrick.”

Mr. Dumigan continued: “It has been a long hard slog, but we are now getting there and will soon have our new leisure centre in place which is absolutely terrific.

“The Council has a select list of contractors for the project and will go to tender this November, with a start date for construction work next spring. We hope the new leisure centre will be open to the public in November 2016.”

Mr. Dumigan said he is pleased issues raised by the Environment Agency about the site of the new centre have been discussed in-depth between its staff and council officers and that agreement on the way forward has been reached.

“We are happy with the conditions which have been attached to the planning permission which relate to the issue of contaminated ground,” he explained.

“We view the conditions which are to be imposed as practical and manageable. If we do come across problems, work at this part of the construction site will stop until the issue is addressed. Previous planning conditions suggested the entire site would have to be shut down, but this is no longer the case.”

Mr. Dumigan added: “Securing planning approval for this eagerly-awaited new leisure complex is really tremendous. We already have our select list of contractors in place so it’s now a case of all systems go.”