Race against time for indoor leisure facility?

The theory from councillors with that view is that unless Moyle secures such a facility before 2011 there is a chance that when they unite with Coleraine - who are seeking their own similar facility - the 'super council' may want to channel money into that project rather than in peripheral centres like Ballycastle.

So now further steps are being taken by Moyle Council to help rid the area of the tag of being the 'worst provider of indoor leisure facilities' out of the 26 councils in Northern Ireland.

New plans which could see a swimming pool and sports halls coming to Ballycastle have been examined and in the latest development a delegation will travel to Manchester to see similar facilities.

Local councillors say it is time something is put in place in Ballycastle and say such an indoor facility would give tourists something to do in bad weather.

Cllr Paudie McShane (Sinn Fein) said action is needed in getting a facility in Ballycastle straight away but Independent councillor Randal McDonnell said Ballycastle only has a population of around 5,000 and such a centre could cost 1,000 a day to run.

He felt Moyle Council pursuing such a scheme is "pie in the sky".

And he didn't think the Council should get the hopes of people built up that they are going to get a swimming pool, four court halls and other facilities in Ballycastle.

Cllr McShane said the population of Ballycastle jumps to around 12,000 in the summer because of holiday-makers and he said the project would also be for the whole of the Moyle area and not just Ballycastle.

Council Vice-Chairperson, Cllr Robert McIlroy (DUP), said although such a centre would cost money it is a facility which is required in the Moyle area.

"Tourism, leisure and the arts have been left out in Moyle for a very long time and if the three can be put together it would be a good attraction," he added.

Independent councillor Seamus Blaney said the move has to be made now to get such facilities.

He said the Council has already spent around 130,000 on drawing up a study and design plans for such a centre in Ballycastle and he disagreed the scheme would be "pie in the sky".

Council officer Kevin McGarry said : "We are losing out massively."

He said Coleraine does not get the same number of day visitor trips as Moyle which generates millions for the local economy and that is without an indoor leisure facility.

"This is a major necessity for this area and we should investigate every avenue to put it in place," he added.

Cllr Cathal Newcombe (Sinn Fein) supported such a leisure facility and Council Chairperson, Cllr Cara McShane (Sinn Fein), said all possibilities should be investigated.

Kevin McGarry said: "We have been the worst deliverer of indoor leisure of all the 26 councils consistently.".

He said neighbouring councils spend 750,000 on indoor leisure per year and the figure in Moyle is 120,000.

Cllr Cara McShane said that whilst Moyle does have excellent sporting facilities the "amount of money spent per head of the population is the lowest in the North".

She said the Council is on the periphery when it comes to leisure facilities and now that the Council has the opportunity to forward plan she said the opportunity should be grabbed with both hands.

Moyle Council recently was given a presentation on a leisure/tourism facility by Pulse Fitness and the trip to Manchester will look at projects Pulse have there.