Proposed name for leisure centre under the spotlight

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Ulster Unionist grouping will meet today to discuss a range of matters including the name of a new £35 million leisure centre.
A perspective of the new South Lake Leisure Centre in Craigavon.A perspective of the new South Lake Leisure Centre in Craigavon.
A perspective of the new South Lake Leisure Centre in Craigavon.

The meeting of the UUP council group is, the Local Democracry Reporting Service understands, due to take place at 4pm, just over two hours before Council’s monthly meeting at which the DUP will present a controversial proposal to name the South Lake Leisure Centre ‘Centinary Leisure Centre’.

The proposal looks certain to divide the chamber and due to the make up of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, the Ulster Unionist Party’s vote will be crucial to its success or failure.

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SDLP Councillor Joe Nelson has called on the UUP to vote against it and described the move as “nothing more than a political stunt”.

“The proposal will be taken by the Catholic/Nationalist community as another insult by the DUP group on Council as it continues to try and drag us back to the ‘Ballygobackwards’ days of Craigavon Council,” said Councillor Nelson.

“It is a slap in the face to nationalist people and I would urge the Ulster Unionist Party to stand up and be counted.”

The Alliance Party has also come out in opposition to the proposal, with party group leader, Councillor Eoin Tennyson concerned such a move would require an equality impact assessment.

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“Any change at this late stage would mean further delay to the opening of the centre and additional cost to ratepayers as an Equality Impact Assessment would have to be satisfied, signage replaced at a potential cost of more than £40k and planning implications would have to be considered,” said Cllr Tennyson.

“We may even find ourselves in a position where residents are left without leisure provision altogether for an extended period.”

He continued: “The centenary of Northern Ireland is a significant event in our shared history, and of course it is right that we mark it in a thoughtful, inclusive and informative way.

“Now, more than ever, people want to see their councillors showing leadership, working together and focused on the ongoing pandemic.

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“Engaging in political point-scoring or a faux fight over the name of a leisure centre is merely a distraction from that.”

Speaking last week, DUP group leader, Councillor Mark Baxter said of the proposal: “Our country celebrates a great milestone on May 21 next year, our 100th anniversary as a nation within the United Kingdom.

“Given the current economic situation, we, as a party, discussed a fitting and inexpensive way to mark this significant anniversary, so we will propose that the Council officially name the new leisure centre in Craigavon as the ‘Centenary Leisure Centre’.”

A decision on the proposal will be taken at tonight’s full meeting of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

Sinn Fein was asked for comment.

Adam Morton , Local Democracy Reporting Service