AQW 38768/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Communities

To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on the systems review regarding Tollymore National Outdoor Centre.

Asked by Andrew McMurray MLA on 21 January 2026

  • Answered
  • Written
  • After due date
Tabled
21 January 2026
Answer due by
5 February 2026
Answered
2 March 202640 days after tabling
Department
Department for Communities
Priority question
No

Answer

Sport NI has primary responsibility for the management of Tollymore National Outdoor Centre, making this an operational matter for the organisation.

I have sought the requested information from the Chief Executive of Sport NI who has provided me with the following response.

“Sport NI has appointed a specialist advisory firm, Fathom Consultancy Solutions (Fathom), to support the Strategic Review of Tollymore National Outdoor Centre (TNOC). The project commenced in December 2025.

The Strategic Review is aimed at finding a more financially sustainable operating model for the publicly owned centre. In the last financial year of its operation, Tollymore National Outdoor Centre cost over £1.3million to run, versus an income of around £250,000.

The Strategic Review will examine how the specialist needs of the region’s outdoor sector could be balanced with improved utilisation of the centre’s outdoor recreation facilities by the wider community and visitors; and will examine a range of possible operating models.”

Official sources