50m Pool Project will have impact on Local Tourism Figures - Cree
Ulster Unionist DETI spokesman Leslie Cree MLA, welcomed the recent announcement by the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure that plans have been passed to build Northern Ireland’s first Olympic sized swimming pool in Bangor by 2010.
“ I am pleased that North Down Borough Council’s bid was won in an open competition and approved by Sport Northern Ireland, “he said.
The winning bid will see the pool built as part of a new £40 million leisure and aquatics centre at Valentine’s Playing fields in Bangor. It is planned that there will be a 10 lane 50m pool, a 5m diving pool, strength and conditioning suites for swimmers and headquarter facilities for Swim Ulster.
Continuing the politician observed, “Not only will the facility be of great benefit to competitive swimmers here but it will also provide state of the art facilities to host local and international events.”
The MLA commenting in terms of increased tourism benefits said, “ Last year Visitor Tourism by main purpose of visit - leisure, holiday, recreation showed an overall increase of 12%. I am delighted that the new facility will not only bring economic benefits to North Down but will also serve to increase visitor numbers to the Borough. I envisage that these numbers will increase considerably once the multi million purpose-built leisure centre is put on the map.”
“ I look forward to the building work starting in the spring of 2008 and the many opportunities that may develop through a working partnership with the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure for the benefit of the people of North Down, said Mr Cree.