Olympic Doubts Over Bangor's £40m Pool

A proposed Olympic-sized swimming pool in Co Down may not be finished in time for the London 2012 games, a local councillor has claimed.

North Down deputy mayor Ian Parsley said it seemed "unlikely" the £40m facility near Bangor leisure centre would be ready in time for the international sporting event.

Around £15m was awarded to the scheme by Stormont in 2007, and it was hoped the world-class pool would be completed by March 2010, to allow local training to commence.

However, Alliance councillor Mr Parsley, who sits on the local authority's leisure committee, said: "Being honest, it looks very unlikely. We're still in fact on schedule to make it for that time but nevertheless you have to be realistic about these things - given the new financial reality.


"It's an incredibly complex project so to get the whole thing ready by 2012 is certainly some challenge.

"Realistically, what we are looking at here is a legacy for the Olympics."

It is proposed the scheme will be built at Valentine Playing Fields and will include a 10 lane 50m pool (with two submersible booms to facilitate full international long and short course facilities).

It will also feature a 5m diving pool; facilities for new aquatics clubs such as diving, water polo and synchronised swimming; strength and conditioning suites for swimmers; and full adaptation for Paralympic swimmers.

It would become the Headquarters for Swim Ulster and offer spectator seating for up to 1,500 people.

Tender for the £40m scheme has just been launched.

(PR/JM)