New swimming pool will deprive families

The mooted new leisure centre at St Columb’s Park, which will replace the Lisnagelvin Leisure Centre, has been given a warm welcome across the city-however, the DUP’s Gary Middleton says that plans for the swimming pool at the new centre do not include the in-pool play apparatus that has been a major attraction at Lisnagelvin since that centre opened in the 1980’s.

It is possible that similar facilities, including wave making equipment and water slides will be shifted to the Templemore Sports Complex, the the DUP representative said that this will be a major disappointment to Waterside families.

“I don’t want to take anything away from Templemore Sports Complex, but that will not be much good to Waterside people. People want a new facility, but there will be disappointment for many that there will be no play facilities in the pool which is the main attraction for families in the Waterside using Lisnagelvin,” said Mr Middleton.

The City Council representative also said he could not fathom why such facilities were excluded from the plans for the new swimming facility and said that the only comparable facilities for families and youth clubs in the country are in Lisburn.

“There is a real need for facilities such as these to survive in Londonderry. In effect this taking a service away from children and youth clubs and I believe it will affect the numbers using the new pool in the Waterside. Of course there will be outdoor play parks for the new centre but these aren’t suitable sometimes in the winter months whereas the play facilities at Lisnagelvin pool are and also provide the chance for families to exercise together all year around. People are expecting a similar set-up at St Columb’s Park, but that is not the case,” he said.

In response to Alderman Middleton, a spokesperson for Derry City Council said: “Council is currently engaged in reviewing detailed design and cost options for the achievement of the Center of Sporting Excellence at St Columbs Park.  Plans include a multi-purpose sports hall, fully equipped fitness suite, swimming pool,  a new 3G seven-a-side pitch, outdoor changing facilities for existing and new pitches, and  lead climbing and bouldering walls for the public. The plans also incorporate a Judo Center of Excellence, designated office spaces for Sports NI, Coaching Ireland and NI Judo Federation (NIJF). These facilities are designed to stage and promote the development of outreach and high profile programmes of events across the North West Cross border region.

“In relation to the swimming pool provision at the new site, the Council is aware of Alderman Middleton’s concerns and is looking at what options are available to facilitate the requirements of all users in the new design. Derry City Council remains committed to advancing and delivering this capital project for the city and region.”