Newcastle outdoor pool saved from closure

Newcastle outdoor pool saved from closure

NEWCASTLE’S Rock Pool has been saved from closure.

The decision was taken late this afternoon during a marathon behind-closed-doors meeting in Downpatrick when politicians met to discuss the first rate increase the new Newry, Mourne and Down Council would set to finance its £50m budget. 

The meeting at the Downshire Civic Centre took place amid growing anger in Newcastle over a controversial suggestion that the 80 year-old pool be closed to save £45,000. However, politicians have now pulled back from the decision and the pool will remain open.

It was recommended during the meeting that the future management of the South Promenade pool would be examined by the new council which is keen to see some form of community involvement in this role.

Elsewhere, the start of work on the new £12m Down Leisure Centre has been delayed until December to help reduce the new council’s capital spend during its first year in business. Work was due to start on the new multi-million pound facility in Downpatrick next month.

Funding for community groups is to be cut by 10 per cent, with the move generating a saving in the region of £300,000. Politicians also agreed to retain £500,000 in the council’s estimates to purchase the former St. Mary’s Girls’ Primary School in Newcastle as a site for new leisure centre which has been ped from the capital programme until at least 2020.

There is also bad news for the St. Patrick Visitor Centre in Downpatrick which is to see its annual funding reduced by £5,000 to £110,000, while a suggestion that the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade should be alternated between Downpatrick and Newry has been shelved.

The new council is keen to reduce its payroll costs by £500,000 and will not immediately replace any staff who may leave the organisation or take up an offer of early retirement.