Looking back... Borough to become ‘gateway to the north’

The building was to be constructed at Hazelbank, between Loughshore Park and Macedon Point.

The facility was to be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland.

Councillors agreed that it was the most exciting project since the inception of the borough.

The Mayor, Alderman Jim Smith said: “Newtownabbey will become the gateway to the north and will have the most attractive urban development outside Belfast.

“We hope our vision will carry the borough into the next century.”

He added that it would “open up the whole district.”