Consultation On New Newcastle Leisure Under Way

THE Chair of Down District Council’s Recreation Committee, Councillor Carmel O’Boyle, has confirmed that plans to consult widely on the new leisure centre that is to be built on the former St Mary’s school site, are in the pipeline. She said:xa0“Following the mutual agreement reached on Monday 28xa0October between Down District Council and the owners of the former St Mary’s school for the purchase of this site, plans are in the pipeline to consult widely with community and sports groups, as well as with residents, on the design and content of the new Newcastle Leisure Centre. “In anticipation of support from the Statutory Transition Committee, we have already started to formulate ideas about how best to consult with all stakeholders. Details of the agreed sale were presented to Down councillors following the understanding reached at a meeting at Down Council’s headquarters by both sides on 28xa0October, and these have been endorsed by all parties in the Council. “Contracts are being drawn up and we hope to appoint our Design Team for the project within weeks. While the negotiations have been tortuous at times, I am confident that we can now look forward to an honourable completion of the agreed sale in order to allow us to move to the design and planning stages of the new leisure centre which has been the dream of the people of Newcastle people for generations,” xa0added Cllr O’Boyle.]]>