Swim galas for local clubs only at Craigavon's South Lake Leisure Centre to ensure 'fair balance' for public use
ABC Community & Wellbeing committee has approved a recommendation to restrict the use of swimming pool facilities at South Lake Leisure Centre to local clubs only when it comes to galas, so as to limit the number of days when the facility is closed to the public
Head of Health & Recreation, Darryn Causby commented: “What we’ve presented this evening to members is what we feel is a balanced way to try and provide swimming galas for our local clubs, and also try to ensure a fair balance of programme for members of the public, particularly at the weekends.
“So, the recommendation is that members approve option two as set out in the report, which is that we agree to only host the local clubs and that we would refuse Swim Ulster gala requests. That would result in only five days’ full closure and ten partial closures, as opposed to eight full closures.”
Councillor Bróna Haughey (SF, Cusher DEA) asked: “What sort of communications have we had with Swim Ulster on these galas and what sort of detrimental impact, if any, this would have on them?”
General manager of South Lake Leisure Centre, Paul A. Coleman replied: “We have spoken with Swim Ulster and we’ve provisionally held their bookings in relation to that. There are a number of pools available to them across the island, so I can’t say where they’re going.
“Recently, as in the last couple of weeks, one of the galas has already been moved. The one that was based in Craigavon around Christmas time in December has already been relocated. So, we will work with Swim Ulster if we need to in terms of helping them find another location.”
Councillor Catherine Nelson (SF, Craigavon DEA) asked: “In terms of the galas, are we aware of how much the swim clubs are involved in these?”
The general manager of South Lake Leisure Centre replied: “We’re not impacting on the swim clubs in terms of the actual club galas. It’s only the two outstanding Swim Ulster galas that we’re proposing not to hold.”
The recommendation to only allow local clubs to organise swim galas at South Lake Leisure Centre, and to turn down requests from Swim Ulster for similar events, was proposed by Councillor Nelson and seconded by Councillor Paul Duffy (SF, Portadown DEA).
This means that South Lake Leisure Centre will host the Armagh Championships on September 26 (full day); Aqua Sprints x 9 from October to June in the evening; Ripple’s Gala in March 2027 (2pm closure); Lurgan/PASC Gala on April 10/11, 2027 (a two-day closure over a weekend); the Special Olympics Time Trials in May 2027 (full day); Banbridge Gala in June 2027 (full day).
However, Swim Ulster requests for all-day events on December 13, 2026, May 22, 2027, and June 12, 2027, will be turned down.
Councillor Peter Haire (DUP, Lurgan DEA) enquired about the reliability and accuracy of the automated timing system which records swimmers’ finish times through the use of electronic touchpads at the edge of the pool.
The head of Health & Recreation replied: “The timing systems that we have in place for the galas are regularly serviced and, when set up by our staff and tested by our staff, they have, I believe, worked.”