By Ryan Sands
A CONSULTATION event on the proposed development of new leisure facilities at the Newcastle Centre will be held this month.
In a statement released last week, the council confirmed that the ‘Framing the Question’ event will take place in the town centre facility on Monday 20 April (6pm to 8pm) and that residents, local businesses, community organisations, sports clubs and stakeholders are invited to take part in the first stage of public consultation on the redevelopment.
It said that the event would allow the local authority and its design consultants to “listen to and understand the perspectives of the local community before any preferred design option is developed”.
“If interest is high, more engagement events may be put on to ensure all voices are heard,” the statement continued.
“This event marks the beginning of a wider programme of engagement that will help inform the future direction of this important project.
“Feedback gathered during this stage will help shape the next phase of work and identify the priorities that should guide the redevelopment.
“Those attending will be invited to consider a number of key themes, including future facility needs, opportunities for community use, sport and leisure provision, and how the centre can best serve local needs in the years ahead.
“This consultation is not part of the formal planning process but forms an important early stage in developing proposals that reflect local priorities.”
Council chairperson Philip Campbell encouraged “everyone with an interest in this important project to attend the consultation event, learn more about the plans and share their views”.
“This redevelopment has the potential to create a modern, high-quality, multipurpose facility that enhances sport, recreation, health and wellbeing, and further strengthens Newcastle as a destination for both residents and visitors,” he said.
In October, the council unanimously agreed to proceed with the Newcastle Centre as its preferred town site for redeveloping into a modern leisure complex.
The following month, it agreed to appoint an integrated consultancy team to design and deliver the leisure centre – reportedly set to cost £12m – and, in late January, Belfast’s McAdam Design was confirmed as the appointee
