By Ryan Sands
A Mournes councillor has said that another summer without Newcastle’s Rock Pool resulted in “huge disappointment” for local families and visitors. In a statement, Laura Devlin (SDLP) called on council officials to provide an update on the proposed refurbishment of the local facility, as well as on plans for a new town leisure centre.
“September is here and, once again, Newcastle has endured a summer without our much-loved Rock Pool,” she stated. “This iconic facility is part of the very fabric of our town. Generations have learned to swim there, and countless visitors have enjoyed it over the years. To see it laying closed summer after summer is a real blow to our community and our tourism offering.”
The local representative (pictured) added that the people of Newcastle now need clarity on where both projects currently stand. “The council must provide a clear plan for the safe and sustainable reopening of the Rock Pool, and they must update residents on the progress of the new leisure centre for Newcastle,” she said. “These facilities are vital, not just for recreation, but for health, wellbeing and our local economy.
“The SDLP will continue to demand that our town gets the facilities it deserves. I will be pressing council officials at every opportunity to ensure that Newcastle’s needs are heard loud and clear and that our community finally gets the answers and investment it has been waiting for.”
In February, councillors endorsed a committee recommendation to procure and appoint integrated consultancy teams for both projects. Initial proposals for a new leisure centre – at the Newcastle Centre – include an indoor leisure pool, a three-lane pool, a heated play pool and a gym, though concerns have been raised about a lack of dedicated on-site parking.
Whilst no official costings for the projects have been made available, there have been reports that the leisure centre could cost £12m and the Rock Pool £6m.
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