Portaferry Sports Centre closure 'an awful shame'

The temporary closure of a sports centre in Portaferry, County Down, has been described as an "awful shame" for the town.

Madeline Dynes, who works at a nearby community centre, said residents were sad the facility had to be shut.

Ards and North Down Borough Council said the closure was due to staff shortages.

The council added it was "committed to exploring options" for reopening.

In a statement, it said that despite an ongoing recruitment campaign, it was "unsuccessful" in recruiting staff to work at Portaferry Sports Centre.

Ms Dynes said it was a "pity" the council had not be able to find staff but added it was the latest in a number of issues that have been ongoing at the centre for a long time.

In September 2023, part of the centre was closed after an inspection revealed health and safety concerns within the building.

"Half of it had to be closed because there is an issue with the floor," Ms Dynes said.

She added that opening hours were "quite restricted" even when the centre was operational.

Ms Dynes said the facilities had previously been used for kids football, hurling and camogie training as well as birthday parties.

The council has said that members of the centre can use the facilities at Ards Blair Mayne Lesiure Complex and Comber Leisure Centre for free.

However Ms Dynes said that since Newtownards and Comber are 18 and 22 miles from Portaferry, that option would not work for everyone.

"If you haven't got a vehicle, you're dependant on the bus, and the buses don't run very well down here, they're quite limited," she said.

There is currently "no specific reopening date" for the centre, according to the council.

However, it added that it "remains committed to exploring options that will allow a safe reopening with a full complement of staff".

In October, Ards and North Down councillors voted to delay a decision on whether to outsource more of its leisure services, including the centre in Portaferry.