Ardnabannon centre to close at end of year

Ardnabannon centre to close at end of year

4 October 2017

THE Ardnabannon outdoor education centre is to close at the end of the year.

The closure of the 100-bed Castlewellan facility was confirmed late yesterday afternoon by the Education Authority as part of controversial cost-cutting proposals which will also result in the weekend and evening closure of the Seaboard outdoor education centre in Killyleagh.

Delamont Education Centre, which was also under threat of closure, has been spared the axe in the cull of outdoor provision. Last November, the facility was earmarked as the first of several residential and outdoor centres in Northern Ireland to close following a rationalisation review, but was handed a reprieve in April of this year.

Ardnabannon — which employs 20 staff — will close on December 31 with staff transferring to the Shannaghmore outdoor education centre outside Newcastle.

The Education Authority’s decision to axe Ardnabannon and downgrade the Killyleagh outdoor centre follows a public consultation exercise which drew several thousand responses.

Yesterday’s decision has been severely criticised by South Down MLA Colin McGrath, who branded it “disgraceful.”

While he is pleased the centre at Delamont will remain in business, the MLA is deeply concerned about the decisions in relation to the other centres in Castlewellan and Killyleagh which he has described as a “vibrant and integral part” of the local education community.

Mr McGrath declared: “This is a disgraceful decision that demonstrates that the reorganisation of outdoor education is being done without the interests of young people in mind. Ardnabannon is a first class, 100-bed facility with dedicated staff who will now be relocated to a smaller 30-bed facility. 

“It just doesn’t make sense. Thousands of people across Co Down have fond memories and experiences at the Ardnabannon and Killyleagh centres and this decision will come as a shock to those who had positive, formative experiences there.”

The MLA said the clear evidence from the recent consultation process was that the decision to close or downgrade any of the local outdoor education centres was not supported. 

Mr McGrath added: “In a political vacuum, I view this as a bad decision and will be making further representations to the Education Authority on this matter.”

Mournes councillor, Andrew McMurray, who works at Ardnabannon, said staff are disappointed at the decision to close the facility.

“I am disappointed for the staff at Ardnabannon and all the outdoor centres affected by this decision. I am also disappointed for the young people who will no longer be able to visit these facilities,” he added.

The Education Authority said it listened carefully and considered all the feedback during the consultation process which enabled it to review and transform the future delivery of residential and outdoor education.

The Authority’s Assistant Director for Youth Services, Arlene Kee, said the organisation is seeking to provide a residential and outdoor learning service that meets the needs of all children and young people as they learn outside the classroom and engage in local youth services, extending their opportunities for experiential learning.

“We have given careful consideration to the many responses received through the consultation process and have devised a model of delivery that is child centred, developmental, flexible, and inclusive. This model is also designed to work in partnership with our schools, youth organisations and the wider voluntary youth sector,” she said.

“The new framework includes specialist outdoor learning provision at Delamont, Gortatole, Shannaghmore and Woodhall, which maximises the use of natural resources. It also provides extended opportunities through partnership working with Greenhill YMCA and the Corrymeela Community.”

The Education Authority official said in addition, peripatetic instructors will provide a flexible outdoor learning service to local schools and youth groups within the community and at three day centres, located in Armagh, Bangor and Ballycastle.

She added: “We will be actively working with children and young people to design this service, promoting extensive volunteering and staff development opportunities within both the statutory and voluntary Sectors. The existing outdoor centres located at Bushmills, Killowen and Killyleagh will be developed to provide essential services for children and young people who require specialist provision. This new approach to outdoor learning will enable us to reflect the voices of our children and young people in the future planning and delivery of the outdoor learning service. It will extend youth provision, enhance educational opportunities for children and young people, whilst contributing to the Authority’s overall aim of improving educational outcomes.”