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A call has come from a local councillor for ‘senior Council management to step up and take real action to address long standing issues with Newry Leisure Centre’.
Sinn Féin Newry City councillor Aidan Mathers was speaking after another meeting between senior Council management and concerned users of the leisure centre.
“At this latest meeting, users once again raised their concerns with senior council management over a number of issues with the Newry Leisure Centre,” said Cllr Mathers.
“These issues which include faulty and broken fitness equipment as well as the general upkeep and cleanliness of the centre, have been raised with senior management for many years.
“I commend the hardworking staff in the leisure centre and pool who do their best for all users but with over 20 vacancies it is clear that more needs to be done to attract people into the leisure sector, and in particular to retain them in the industry.
“I welcome the recognition by the senior management that these issues are unacceptable, and they have committed to taking steps to tackle a number of these concerns.”
There have been similar press releases from local councillors since the leisure centre opened, calling on management to address certain issues that have included broken equipment, broken lockers and cleanliness.
Cllr Mathers noted there were ‘long standing issues’, that users 'once again raised their concerns’ and that matters ‘have been raised with Senior Management for many years’.
Newry.ie asked Cllr Mathers did the fact that councillors are still raising issues time and again not indicate that ‘calling’ for something to be done has little to no impact when it comes to the leisure centre?
We asked how many times have senior management told Sinn Féin councillors they recognise there are issues and how many times have they committed they were, or would be, taking steps to tackle them?
And at what point do councillors step up and stop ‘calling’ for something to be done and instead demand and follow up to see that the issues they are raising are actioned?
A response to the Newry.ie questions was requested but no reply was received.
