DOWN Council will not be building a new leisure centre in Ballynahinch.
Councillors have reached agreement with the Assumption Grammar School for its ultra-modern sports facilities to be used by the public, it was confirmed at Monday night’s meeting of the local authority.
The agreement means Down Council will not have to invest an estimated £4m in replacing its ageing leisure centre at Windmill Street.
It is also understood a building site adjacent to the Market House in Ballynahinch could be developed by the council to provide additional leisure provision in the town if required.
Councillor Eamonn O’Neill described confirmation that the council and school officials have reached agreement on the way forward as “good news which will have a big impact on the local authority’s capital budget.”
Councillor Anne McAleenan said the issue of using the Assumption’s facilities has been discussed for about a year and described
the Ballynahinch school’s facilities as “astonishing and a real asset for the local community.”
She said the sports facilities at the Assumption are there to be used by everyone in the town and described the agreement which has been reached between the school and the council as “excellent news.”
Councillor McAleenan also believes a bowling alley should be provided in Ballynahinch to meet the needs of young people and plans to ask council officials to research this particular issue.
Councillor Stephen Burns said the agreement between Down Council and the Assumption Grammar could be used as a template to pave the way for other schools and sports clubs across the district to share their respective facilities.
Councillor John Doris said attempts in the past by the council to share existing sports facilities across the district owned by schools failed. He said sharing facilities is good for the community and the local authority.