By Donal McMahon
Copyright belfastlive
Scope for a bigger Co Down site for Newcastle’s long awaited leisure centre has been shut down over concerns it could delay the project for a decade . Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) will now “stick” to developing its town centre site following advice that a search for a new location could add “five to 10 years” to the process. Mournes councillors had previously raised size issues on the designs for the new centre being too small with only three pool lanes leading a councillor to request further scrutiny on rejected sites. READ MORE: Newry court ‘caution’ for pensioner on stalking threat charges towards Co Down councillor. READ MORE: Co Down stink solution from Warrenpoint Harbour won’t have ‘people dancing in the streets’ says campaigners. At this week’s active and healthy communities committee, SDLP councillor, Laura Devlin said: “From the report before it is very clear that the fight for a leisure centre in Newcastle has certainly been protracted. “It’s been a very long road and I suppose we want to see it completed and the leisure centre that we all deserve. It is also clear that available land in Newcastle remains the issue and I suppose that is land that is already zoned for development and doesn’t flood. “And considering those two points, no other site exists for a leisure centre in Newcastle. “I suppose my question would be, is there a risk associated with that and also what delays could that potentially add to the project?” The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands the new leisure complex will include an indoor leisure pool, three lane pool and a heated play pool for children as well as a modern gymnasium. A council officer responded: “So, certainly as officers we couldn’t recommend the council consider another site at this time given the risk associated with potentially re-looking at the site. “All of the timeline and surveys that have been completed have brought us to the stage where Newcastle Leisure Centre is at the preferred site. “To put it simply, if we were in a process to look at other sites we could be talking for an additional five to 10 years on the project timeline.” He added: “I understand the members’ frustration and public especially around Newcastle in getting this project moved on. We are very near the point of getting a consultant team onboard to push the project on which will be a key milestone for the delivery of the new centre on the site. “It would be very much the officers’ recommendation that it is time for us to stick with the current location and will be consulting with members and the public once we have the consultancy team on board for the various design options on that site.” Alliance councillor Jill Truesdale said: “I am really disappointed that this item on the agenda is only for nothing as it is a serious spend on a project that deserves discussion. “People in Newcastle have waited on this forever. I would like to propose that this item is brought back into committee for evidence of sites that were scoped and the reasons for their rejection.” For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
