Following a meeting with the new chief executive of the Newry, Mourne and Down Council, Alliance Councillor Patrick Clarke has welcomed “a commitment being given regarding a new Leisure and Health Wellbeing Centre in Newcastle to replace the current Newcastle Centre.”
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The old Newcastle Leisure Centre may still be replaced by a new centre despite recent reports.[/caption]
Councillor Patrick Clarke held a meeting with the super council chief  Liam Hannaway to discuss the current Newcastle Centre and the future maintenance costs involved in maintaining the existing centre. He said: ‎”Following a lengthy meeting on Tuesday about the current Newcastle centre, I received a commitment that Newcastle will get a new Leisure Centre and that a business case is currently getting attention to move the project forward.
“With Newcastle being a busy seaside resort and tourism driver it has been recognised that some type of indoor leisure facility complex is needed in Newcastle for the future and I welcome the new Chief Executive designate agreeing to examine the business case and all options for a new leisure centre being built in Newcastle.
“With Downpatrick and Saintfield moving ahead with new facilities, I believe that Newcastle as a gateway to the Mournes and a tourist destination spot deserves a new Leisure Centre which will be open to local ratepayers and visitors and tourists coming to Newcastle.”
It is understood that current esrtimates to repair the ailing existing Newcastle  Centre  could be over £500,000 and may be necessary for health and safety reasons.
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