Politician condemns Down Council over pool closure threat

Politician condemns Down Council over pool closure threat

A LOCAL politician has accused Down Council of “mismanaging” Newcastle’s outdoor Rock Pool which at risk of closure.

In a blistering attack on council officials, Sinn Fein's Willie Clarke claimed there was a deliberate strategy of under promoting the Rock Pool which officials believe makes it easier to close. He claimed the same strategy has been used to close schools and hospitals.

Council officials have controversially suggested closing the sea water pool at South Promenade in the resort as part of a raft of cost cutting measures to save £45,000 as they struggle to strike a district rate.

The closure suggestion has sparked widespread anger and on-line petition to save the 80 year-old pool, which is currently managed by Down Council, has been signed by over 1,200 people.

Councillor Clarke — who is opposed to the pool’s closure — said the facility is important to residents who live at the harbour area in the resort. He also wants the Friends of the Rock Pool to be given more powers so the group can work with the new Newry, Mourne and Down Council which is formally launched on April 1 to help guarantee the pool’s future.

Councillor Clarke believes such a new management model would allow the pool to expand its opening hours, generating additional income to help secure its future.

“The Rock Pool provides a valuable resource for people to enjoy swimming in a sea water environment with added safety. It also trains many young people in lifesaving skills and has to be protected,”

“Newry, Mourne and Down Council needs to agree an arrangement with the Friends of the Rock Pool to allow it to take over the management of the facility. The pool is a Down Council facility at Newcastle’s historic quarter which has been badly managed and not marketed,” declared Councillor Clarke.

“It seems to me Down Council’s objective in the past has been to ensure less people use the pool on a yearly basis, which in turn makes it easier to close the facility. It’s a similar tactic often used to close schools, hospitals, Post Offices, banks, libraries and other community facilities.”Councillor Clarke added: “This is another example of neglect at the harbour area in Newcastle.This area has been allowed to fall into a state of disrepair and has not been a priority for Down Council. “As we move forward into the new council structures I will be looking at funding options for the Friends of the Rock Pool and will be meeting with the group to prepare a partnership approach with Newry Mourne and Down Council, similar to the model used to manage the Castlewellan community centre.”To sign the on-line petition visit www.facebook.com/RockPoolNewcastle.