Newcastle Leisure Centre plans change

Newcastle Leisure Centre plans change

9 December 2015

THE development of a new leisure centre at Newcastle’s Donard Park is firmly back on the agenda.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council is expected to switch attention to this 

location to build the new complex after the failure of its protracted pursuit of the former St Mary’s Primary School site in the town.

Council officials have been attempting to secure the Shanslieve Drive school site for the past number of years and were hopeful of securing a deal, but the local authority’s most recent bid failed.

The former Down Council earmarked Donard Park as the base for the new leisure centre which would also be home to a new health centre, but subsequently agreed to explore the potential of securing the former primary school site.

The decision by the Parish of Maghera not to sell the site to the local council has angered a number of politicians who were hopeful a deal could be agreed. They say it’s now essential an urgent meeting is convened to plot a way forward and ensure much-needed leisure facilities are developed in Newcastle.

Sinn Fein councillor Willie Clarke and the SDLP’s Laura Devlin say its vital senior council staff organise a meeting in the wake of the failure to land the Shanslieve Drive site to discuss the next move, but disagree over the pursuit of the former primary school.

Councillor Clarke described the decision to pursue the school site when Donard Park was available as a “fatal misjudgement,” with councillor Devlin arguing Down Council made the “right decision” to pursue the purchase of the brownfield site at Shanslieve Drive.

“Sinn Fein warned changing direction with regard to the site of the new leisure centre would seriously compromise its delivery. If this had not happened contractors would now be on site,” declared councillor Clarke.

“My original proposal to develop Donard Park was supported by all the main parties and paved the way for the old council to appoint consultants to 

prepare detailed designs, a full business case and all other necessary documentation to allow building work to proceed. An indicative budget of £7.5m was also allocated.

“If we had proceeded, we would now have a state-of-the-art leisure and health centre that we could all be proud of. Instead, we are back to where we started. Reneging on the Donard Park site was a fatal misjudgement that has left us in the situation we now find ourselves in.”

Councillor Clarke added: “We are are where we are. We cannot change the past, but we can influence the future. We need to be innovative and develop positive initiatives to progress the building of our new centre. It’s now vital all parties work collectively to deliver.”

Councillor Devlin believes planners should also be included in discussions about the development of new leisure facilities in Newcastle.

“We are all disappointed a decision has been taken not to sell the former primary school site for the development of a new leisure centre. When the former Down Council looked at developing Donard Park, the St Mary’s site was not available. When this changed, the council had to pursue the purchase of this brownfield site,” she continued. “This was a decision taken by all the political parties.”

Councillor Devlin also dismissed claims that £7.5m was available for the construction of a new leisure centre, explaining this was a “notional figure” and that no money had been allocated in the budget.

She added: “The Shanslieve Drive site is clearly no longer available and we need an urgent meeting to discuss what happens next. We need to plot a way forward and decide where do we go from here. We have to sit down to discuss what we have to do to provide a new leisure facility for the people of Newcastle. Having the planners in on discussions is important, especially when it comes to developing potential sites.”