Politicians pleased consultants to be appointed to oversee projects

Politicians pleased consultants to be appointed to oversee projects

25 June 2025

MOURNES councillors Laura Devlin and Jill Truesdale have welcomed the planned investment to upgrade leisure provision in the resort.

Cllr Devlin said the people of Newcastle need a replacement leisure centre and said confirmation that consultants will be appointed before the end of the summer “is not before time”.

She said it was accepted that the team charged with advancing the redevelopment of the Rock Pool must be experts in their specific field as the project is complicated given the pool’s listed status and environmental designations. 

“We must continue to push for its restoration and enhancement,” she declared.

“It has been confirmed that once consultants are appointed, there will be discussions with elected members and engagement with the public all of which will feed into two separate planning applications for the projects. 

“I appreciate these projects have been an extremely long time coming but, hopefully, now that significant funding has been allocated to both, we will see the progress that we have all been pushing for and community engagement will be really important.”

Cllr Devlin said the majority of Mournes councillors are happy with the leisure centre designs but are keen to ascertain the timelines for both projects, with the aim to progress them at the same time.

Cllr Truesdale said she was concerned that another council project would progress without consideration of residents and visitors along with a public consultation, referencing the failed gondola ride into the Mournes.

She said several months ago, councillors were shown concept plans of the new leisure centre and told their briefing was confidential, but the information was in the public domain.

She revealed at this briefing she raised questions around the lack of parking at a town centre leisure centre. 

“At this time, the gondola was still in full flight and I received the standard answer that consultants would be appointed and they would look into available parking around the area and take into account a full suite of ideas to manage cars coming in to use the facilities,” Cllr Truesdale explained.

“I fully support active travel but coming out of a swim session in winter with small children and all that it entails to have to catch a bus or walk a good distance to your car is not experienced at other leisure centres and asked why should this be the case in Newcastle?

Cllr Truesdale said there must be a balance between supporting active travel and supporting people to actually get to a leisure centre to improve their health.

She added: “The very last thing I or the people of Newcastle want is another Tropicana with a roof on. We deserve a full sized leisure centre as our community swimming pool. 

“A full-size pool would greatly enhance our living experience as well as that of our many visitors between March and August.

“Indeed, now caravan parks have the option to open off season at weekends our visitor numbers remain high all year.

In addition we have many people travelling to Downpatrick to train in their swimming clubs and to carry out lifeguard qualifications and this all requires a full-sized swimming pool to give everyone equal space.”

Cllr Truesdale added: “I absolutely believe a leisure centre is a worthwhile investment and could significantly improve resident and visitor satisfaction enormously. But we cannot accept second best after waiting so long. Location and size are key and parking is crucial.”