The Minister said: “Approval has now been given for the full business case for this 50 metre swimming pool to be built by North Down Borough Council. This represents a £15million investment by DCAL. I am pleased that we have reached this point which will allow the project to move forward towards its construction phase, which is currently on target for completion in 2012 and which will create much needed construction jobs.
“This will be Northern Ireland’s first Olympic sized swimming pool. 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 spoke as he made plans to attend the UK School Games in Cardiff on Thursday. Two hundred school children from Northern Ireland are among the 17,000 young athletes competing in the games.
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.
“Today, I am making preparations to attend the 2009 UK School Games in South Wales where 200 of Northern Ireland’s best elite young athletes will be competing. Sport is essential for our young people, and DCAL’s investment in elite sports facilities is not just about the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is about creating a sporting legacy for our young people so they feel inspired to play sport.
“I am hopeful that in the not too 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.
“I wish North Down Borough Council every success for the future development and construction of its new Leisure Complex, which will include the 50 metre pool. I look forward to hearing about its progress and to visiting again when building work commences.”
Notes to editors:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. North Down Borough Council is to receive up to £15million towards the capital costs of building a 50 metre swimming pool in Bangor. The pool is part of larger leisure complex development being undertaken by North Down Borough Council.
5. The recent judicial review decision on Phase Two of the Elite Facilities Programme will now allow Sport NI to move forward with this programme. However, the announcement of successful applications will be delayed to allow for the Courts judgement to be implemented.
6. The UK School Games is an inter-nations and regions school sport competition for the UK’s elite young athletes of school age, designed to replicate the feel of major sporting events such as the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and Commonwealth Games. The UK School Games seeks to create an inspirational and motivational setting which encourages more young people to take part and succeed in sport. The first games were staged in Glasgow in September 2006 and featured over 1,000 talented young athletes competing in five sports over four days.
7. This year’s Games are in South Wales, with the Games in 2010 and 2011 being held in Tyne and Wear and Sheffield respectively. It is intended that there will be a concluding event in the Olympic Park prior to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
8. At last year’s Games in Bristol and Bath, the Northern Ireland team took part in nine sports winning 26 medals in total (five gold medals, 10 silver medals and 11 bronze medals).
9. Media enquiries to Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office on 028 9051 5046 or email press.office@dcalni.gov.uk. Out of office hours contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
