One of the last remaining open sea water rock pools on the island of Ireland has been “left to ruin” according to councillors who are campaigning for it to reopen to the public.
The Rock Pool in Newcastle —which first opened over 100 years ago — closed four years ago due to concerns over health and safety at the site and has remained shut since.
It has been estimated that to open its doors to the public again could take around £5m in restoration costs.
Major structural work is required at the outdoor pool — which is protected under a Grade 2 listed status — as well as issues over water treatment at the facility which need addressed.
Newry, Mourne and Down Council owns the Rock Pool and, as such, has a statutory obligation to not let it crumble into the sea, some councillors have said.
Several options for the future of the pool have already been discussed with suggestions that the local authority may join forces with the community to secure grant funding to carry out much-needed repairs.
It has been reported that the pool’s concrete structure has extensively degraded while the filtration system is almost unusable. The pool is unable to retain water as a result of cracks in the concrete.
SDLP councillor for the area Laura Devlin told the Belfast Telegraph it is “essential” that the council puts the much-needed funding behind reopening the Rock Pool.
Laura Devlin
“I spent summers there as a child, as did many people from Newcastle, and since Covid many people have embraced the benefits of cold-water therapy where somewhere like the Rock Pool would be perfectly suited for so many people in the community to use,” she said.
“It previously only opened eight weeks of the year but there are so many people who could benefit from the site all year round.”
Ms Devlin explained much of the issues around reopening was around water treatment at the site as well as the structural integrity of the facility needing addressed.
“One suggestion I put forward recently was to remove the back wall completely and essentially make it into a natural tidal pool which would eradicate all need to have the water treated and we are awaiting council’s response to this,” she said.
“No matter what comes back, something needs done to protect this piece of our history; it is listed so there is an obligation there from council to maintain it.”
It is understood that it could cost in the region of £1m just to keep the Rock Pool up to listed standards and an additional £5m to safeguard its future.
Council officials are juggling the ongoing issues with the pool with plans in place to build a new leisure complex in the town which will include an indoor pool with three 30-metre swimming lanes and a dedicated heated play pool for children.
It is understood this facility could cost upwards of £12m.
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Ms Devlin said that it “isn’t a case of one or the other, we need both”.
“Both the Rock Pool and hopefully this new leisure complex will add so much to the area and provide options for people to enjoy both indoor and outdoor activities while they are here,” she said.
“The delays regarding both these projects are unacceptable, we need to move forward now for the betterment of Newcastle.”
Glyn Hanna
But DUP councillor Glyn Hanna said that the funding for the new leisure complex should be prioritised over addressing the structural issues of the Rock Pool.
“I don’t want to see the Rock Pool crumble by any means, but we have to invest in what’s best for everyone,” he said.
“I have said before that it would cost £5m to fully restore the Rock Pool, but I now believe it would cost £7m with the rise in inflation. This is a more realistic cost as there has been substantial further decay to its structure.
“I think to spend £3m or £4m on a temporary repair is a stupid waste of money,” he added. “The fact that it is listed also adds to the amount of restrictions on it and if it were to be kept the way it was it wouldn’t pass health and safety, there’s not even any disabled access to the site.
“If the council were to get a move on and get this leisure complex built it would do well for tourism especially with events like the Irish Open coming up.
“I don’t want to see the Rock Pool left to ruin but I think the funding could go towards something more sustainable and a community partner needs to be brought on to make it realistic.”
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has been approached for comment.
News Catch Up: Wednesday 14 August