DEMOLITION work on a section of the Newcastle Centre deemed unsafe has been given the green light.
At a meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Active and Healthy Communities Committee on Monday, members agreed to commence with the demolition of the auditorium at the rear of the centre this September.
Next month it will be a year since the council first decided to raze the building to the ground which has been surrounded by scaffolding for some time.
Hopes are high among local residents, business owners and tourism representatives that the move could signal the start of a mammoth new regeneration of the Newcastle Centre.
Many will view the undertaking to commence demolition as a step in the right direction towards a multi-million pound ultra modern leisure complex that is in the pipeline.
Earlier this year, council officials began discussions with consultants to develop an outline business case which is designed to pave the way for the eagerly-awaited new project.
Proposals for the new development also include the demolition of the outdoor Tropicana swimming pool to make the way for the new complex, complete with a brand new replacement.
The eagerly-awaited new development will be in essence, bolted on to the side of the existing Central Promenade centre, the former Annesley Buildings, a 1830s listed building.
Demolition of the building was ruled out previously due to historic considerations and the costs of preserving its protected listed status.
Local councillor Laura Devlin said that though no formal decision has yet been taken to commence the scheme, she has welcomed the news that demolition is to go ahead as a first step.
She said: “The people of Newcastle want and need a leisure centre which is fit for purpose. Our current centre is not.
“I see this demolition work as a step towards our new facility in the heart of Newcastle on the current site. This to me is stage one in that process,” she said.
“We are due to meet early September to discuss a number of capital projects in Newcastle and the centre is a priority.”
She said the debate around a site for a new purpose-built leisure centre was “well rehearsed”.
“An adequate site no longer exists, hence the need to redevelop on the current site,” she said.
She added that when councillors meet in September to consider options on moving forward, she hopes it will include options for a new replacement leisure centre on the same site.
“I look forward to examining these proposals and seeking agreement to progress, but in the meantime there will be some inconvenience for centre users,” she pointed out.
The centre will be fully closed for 5-10 days, with essential bookings such as childcare remaining in place, while other bookings and services to be relocated.
Fitness suite members can avail of discount or utilise other council gyms, she said.
“But I very much hope that this will be some short-term pain for the long-term and long-awaited gain of a proper centre here in Newcastle.”