Cllr Willie Clarke welcomes the Newcastle Centre consultation giving the public a say in its design
Sinn Féin representatives have welcomed the recent public consultation event on the proposed new Newcastle Leisure Centre as a significant and positive step forward for the town.
Speaking after the consultation held in Newcastle centre on Monday evening, Cllr Willie Clarke described the engagement process led by the appointed specialist design team as a “defining moment” in the delivery of a modern, inclusive leisure facility for the community.
Cllr Clarke, alongside Cllr Niall Lawlor, reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the project continues to be shaped by the needs and voices of local people. They praised the consultants for facilitating meaningful engagement and for committing to further public consultation events as the design progresses.
“This is about co-designing a facility for the people of Newcastle,” Cllr Clarke said. “It is vital that the community remains at the heart of this process, and it is encouraging to see that commitment from the design.
“Sinn Féin have worked tirelessly to keep this project moving forward and rooted in the heart of our town.
“Retaining a town centre location ensures accessibility for all of the community and helps avoid unnecessary delays. This is a positive project that will transform our local leisure offering.”
Cllr Clarke added: “This facility will make a real difference to families across the area. Its progression is a welcome boost for the entire community.
“It is particularly encouraging that the co-design process* is central to the development, ensuring the final facility caters for everyone from local athletes and young children to older residents and visitors.”
Cllr Clarke also emphasised his party’s broader commitment to delivering high-quality public amenities and said: “Sinn Féin is working hard in local government to deliver the kind of leisure facilities our communities deserve.
“I would encourage everyone to stay engaged and to take part in up-coming consultation opportunities.”
The new Newcastle Leisure Centre is expected to play a key role in enhancing health, wellbeing, and community life in the area, with ongoing public input helping to shape a facility that meets the needs of all.
***
* Co-designing a project is a collaborative, participatory approach that brings together professionals, stakeholders, and people with lived experience to design solutions together, rather than designing for them. It shifts power from traditional top-down models to shared decision-making, using creative, hands-on methods to ensure the end product meets real-world needs and fosters community ownership. (GOV.UK blog) development.
