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10/04/2003
Protest held over closure of Maysfield
A protest has been held today over the impending closure of Maysfield Leisure Centre.
Belfast's oldest leisure complex is set to close next year following a decision reached in Belfast City Hall.
But speaking today at the protest, East Belfast Sinn Fein Councillor Joe O'Donnell urged for a replacment site to be secured before closing the centre.
Coucillor O'Donnell described the decision taken by Belfast City Council to close Maysfield as "reprehensible".
He said it was unnacceptable that closure of the centre would leave the people of east Belfast with no leisure centre and that, as no alternative site had been secured, it was possible that south Belfast would be left with no leisure facility at all.
Councillors last month voted in favour of replacing the aging centre in east Belfast with a new facility in the south of the city.
With millions of pounds needed to upgrade Maysfield in order to meet modern health and safety requirements, many councillors felt a new facility was the only viable option for future leisure service requirements.
DUP councillor Sammy Wilson said money raised by the Maysfield site could be used to build a new facility in south Belfast as well as unlocking opportunities for new provision in north and east Belfast.
The 40 employees currently working at Maysfield have been promised jobs elsewhere when the centre closes next year.
Opened in 1977, Maysfield has hosted many high profile events ranging from concerts to world boxing fights.
(SP)
Belfast's oldest leisure complex is set to close next year following a decision reached in Belfast City Hall.
But speaking today at the protest, East Belfast Sinn Fein Councillor Joe O'Donnell urged for a replacment site to be secured before closing the centre.
Coucillor O'Donnell described the decision taken by Belfast City Council to close Maysfield as "reprehensible".
He said it was unnacceptable that closure of the centre would leave the people of east Belfast with no leisure centre and that, as no alternative site had been secured, it was possible that south Belfast would be left with no leisure facility at all.
Councillors last month voted in favour of replacing the aging centre in east Belfast with a new facility in the south of the city.
With millions of pounds needed to upgrade Maysfield in order to meet modern health and safety requirements, many councillors felt a new facility was the only viable option for future leisure service requirements.
DUP councillor Sammy Wilson said money raised by the Maysfield site could be used to build a new facility in south Belfast as well as unlocking opportunities for new provision in north and east Belfast.
The 40 employees currently working at Maysfield have been promised jobs elsewhere when the centre closes next year.
Opened in 1977, Maysfield has hosted many high profile events ranging from concerts to world boxing fights.
(SP)
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