Leisure centre can be town ‘game changer’

Leisure centre can be town ‘game changer’

5 March 2025

PLANS for a new multi-million pound leisure centre in the heart of a Newcastle will be a “game changer” for the resort, according to two local politicians.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council recently allocated £600,000 to progress the new leisure facility at the site of the current Newcastle Centre and to advance the redevelopment of the town’s historic Rock Pool at South Promenade. 

Both projects could cost in excess of £20m it is being suggested.

Work is underway to secure formal planning approval to progress both schemes to the detailed design stage and both are key planks of the local authority’s corporate plan and a cornerstone of the organisation’s Active and Healthy Community Department’s business plan.

Significant progress has already made on concept designs and a draft business case developed for the new leisure centre.

It is being suggested that the anticipated £12m cost of an ultra-modern leisure complex — which would include an indoor pool — could potentially increase, with suggestions the final bill to restore the crumbling outdoor Rock Pool at South Promenade could be as high as £7m.

The new leisure facility will be built at the site of the Newcastle Centre at Central Promenade, while various engineering studies have been carried out at the outdoor Rock Pool to determine its long term future.

Demolition work to bulldoze a rear extension at the Newcastle Centre to pave the way for a major new leisure complex has been completed, with the construction of the new multi-million pound leisure facility resulting in the removal of the outdoor Tropicana children’s play pool.

The new leisure complex is expected to feature an indoor leisure pool which will include three 30 metre swimming lanes and a dedicated heated play pool for children. The eagerly-awaited new facility will also feature an ultra-modern gymnasium.

At the outdoor seawater Rock Pool, major work is required at the facility which enjoys protected status and has been closed for the past four years.

The council-owned facility opened in the early 1930s, but a specialist survey has confirmed that a number of major issues require urgent attention and that considerable costs are involved.

A number of options for the future of the pool have already been discussed with suggestions that the local authority may join forces with the community in a bid to secure grant funding to carry out much-needed repairs. 

It has previously been reported that the Rock Pool’s concrete structure has extensively degraded, while the filtration system is almost unusable, with seawater pipes so corroded that rust is coming off them and contaminating the water being filtered. 

The pool is unable to retain water as a result of cracks in the concrete and has been described as no longer fit-for-purpose. There are also concerns the pool does not comply with current health and safety standards.

South Down MLA Colin McGrath and Mournes councillor Laura Devlin are pleased with the progress being made on both schemes as a result of the “essential funding” made available by the local authority.

Mr McGrath said Newcastle residents have been waiting from “time immemorial” for a suitable leisure centre that meets their needs. 

“We know people in the town have been let down time and again and many have been left to think that this is just the way that things are and will be,” he said.

“However, I am delighted to say that is not the case. Following Cllr Devlin’s incredible efforts, the necessary funding has been secured to progress the next steps in delivering the long awaited leisure centre and Rock Pool redevelopment.”

Mr McGrath said the need for the leisure centre is an issue which galvanises the town and, when delivered, will be a game changer in terms of leisure facilities and provision for local people.

“Access to the indoor swimming pool is just one element that I know people will really enjoy. Laura and I look forward to seeing this project delivered and will continue to do all that we can to ensure this is done at pace,” he added.

Cllr Devlin said she is “passionate” about health and wellbeing.

“Both these projects are so important, not just to our local population but also to boost our tourism offering. I know my children will be particularly excited to get to experience the water based play facility in the new leisure centre.”