Sports Minister gives green light for 50m pool

Sports Minister, Gregory Campbell, MP MLA has today announced that North Down Borough Council is to receive up to £15 million towards the capital costs of building a 50m pool in Bangor.

Speaking during a visit to Valentine Playing Fields, the site for the new pool and leisure complex, the Minister said: “I am pleased that we have now reached this point which will allow the project to move forward to full planning and development stage.

“This will be Northern Ireland’s first Olympic sized swimming pool; it is also the first project in the Elite Facilities Capital Programme which will provide new and upgraded sports facilities across a range of sports in Northern Ireland over the next few years. As a regional centre of excellence, it will be a state-of-the-art facility to be enjoyed by all the people of Northern Ireland.”

The Minister continued: "The project will go a long way towards addressing Northern Ireland's need for world class sporting facilities and will deliver a sporting infrastructure previously unavailable in Northern Ireland.

“I am hopeful that in the not to far distant future I will be announcing other proposals for sporting facilities currently being examined by Sport Northern Ireland under phase two of the Elite Facilities programme.”

Congratulating North Down Borough Council on the work that they have done so far on the project, the Minister said: “I wish the Council every success for the future development and construction of the new Leisure Complex. I look forward to hearing about its progress and to visiting again when building work commences.”

The Minister continued: “The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has given Northern Ireland an opportunity to improve its sporting facilities and my Department will work in partnership with Sport Northern Ireland and other organisations to take forward the development of elite facilities which will create a legacy for future generations.”

The Minister was accompanied by the Mayor, Alderman Leslie Cree MBE MLA and Councillor Anne Wilson, Chair of the Leisure, Tourism & Community Services Committee. Also in attendance was Trevor Polley, Chief Executive and Stephen Reid, Director of Leisure Services. The Minister was given a short presentation on the proposal for the new leisure complex, including the 50m pool, at Bangor’s Townhall.

Notes to Editors:

In June 2007 the then Sports Minister, Edwin Poots MLA confirmed North Down Borough Council as the preferred bidder to build Northern Ireland's first 50 metre swimming pool.

In March 2006 an Elite Facilities Programme was announced for high priority sports infrastructure projects which would enable winning projects to attract up to 75% of capital costs.

The 50 metre pool project is the first phase in the Elite Facilities programme operated by Sport Northern Ireland. Applications to phase two of this programme are currently under consideration by Sport Northern Ireland. It is anticipated that the building of the 50 metre swimming pool is completed by 2010 in preparation for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office Tel (028) 9025 8901 or email press.office@dcalni.gov.uk Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.