‘DEVASTATING’
By Sarah Curran
THE closure of Portaferry Sports Centre has been labelled a ‘devastating blow’ to the community.
The complex was closed ‘until further notice’ on Monday morning after Ards and North Down Council claimed staff shortages had left it impossible to safely continue to open the centre.
The local authority has been suffering staffing shortages across its leisure services department for several months but the decision to close one of its five major sports centres took the Portaferry community by surprise.
Posting on social media, the council notified members and users of the closure of the complex, adding that it would be shut ‘with immediate effect until further notice’.
Elsewhere, services such as some public swimming have been suspended due to the staffing crisis at Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Centre and there have also been problems at the Bangor Aurora complex.
Portaferry councillor Joe Boyle said the closure was a ‘devastating blow’ to the people of Portaferry and wider community, adding that members were unaware of the closure until they turned up at the facility on Monday.
“It is simply unacceptable what is happening to Portaferry at this point in time,” the SDLP councillor said.
Mr Boyle said he believed that the closure was ‘not good enough or acceptable’.
He said it was the latest problem to hit the troubled centre where the main hall has been out of use for almost a year and the entire facility had to close for several weeks earlier this year due to maintenance issues.
Last June the centre was closed after problems were found in the floor of the main hall. The centre remained closed for several months before partially reopening again, although the hall remained closed. In recent months half of the hall has been made available to the public.
“Here we go once again, if something has to be affected and give way, Portaferry and the Ards peninsula has to be the target,” Mr Boyle said.
“I know the council has been struggling with getting staff for leisure in general,” he said. “If the issue is the poor wages, then council needs to have a serious look at itself.
“Management and officers appear to be well paid, but the structure needs to pay its employees and make applying for positions attractive. You don’t simply close a place or put the pen through it on a whim.”
Mr Boyle questioned how long the Sports Centre would be out of action and how those paying membership fees would be reimbursed for their inconvenience, noting that for those living in Portaferry, it would be a costly 40 mile round trip to access facilities in Newtownards.
“This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency,” Mr Boyle concluded.
A council spokesman for the council it is currently experiencing staff shortages across its leisure provision.
“Despite an ongoing recruitment campaign and diligent efforts to source staff, these attempts have been unsuccessful,” he said.
“As a result, Portaferry Sports Centre has been temporarily closed. During this closure, members of the centre can utilise the gym, classes, swimming, and spa facilities at Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex and the facilities at Comber Leisure Centre, free of charge.
“While there is currently no specific reopening date for Portaferry Sports Centre, the council remains committed to exploring options that will allow a safe reopening with a full complement of staff.”
CAPS: Ards and North Down councillor Joe Boyle said the closure of Portaferry Sports Centre is a ‘devastating blow’ to the community.
The Sports Centre was closed ‘with immediate effect until further notice’ on Monday.
Mr Boyle said the closure needed to be addressed ‘urgently’.
