Newry and Mourne District Council

11th January 2009

Newry and Mourne District Council at a meeting of its Planning Sub Committee, held on Thursday 7 January 2010, endorsed a recommendation of approval from the Planning Service to grant outline planning provision for a new leisure complex, car park and playing fields at Rooney’s Meadow in Newry City.

The planned new leisure complex, which will incorporate a new 25-metre swimming pool, sports centre and playing fields at an estimated cost of £20.6 million, follows an extensive 2-phase consultation process carried out by the Council in 2005 and 2008. The Councils plans for new leisure provision at Rooney’s Meadow have received widespread support from the entire community.

The planned development will include a 25-metre main pool and an additional 250 sq metres of learner/leisure water. Also included will be an 8-court sports hall with almost 800 sq metres of health and fitness facilities and a 150 sq metre health/therme suite.

In addition, new third generation five-a-side playing facilities and an upgraded GAA pitch will be provided.

Access to the new centre will be via Cecil Street with 330 car parking spaces provided.

The provision of new leisure facilities will see the combining of the existing facilities at Rooney’s Meadow and Newry Sports Centre into a new modern state of the art single leisure centre.