AQO 3263/22-27 Oral question to the Minister for Communities
To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on the Strategic Review of Tollymore National Outdoor Centre, including any associated timelines for action.
Asked by Andrew McMurray MLA on 26 February 2026
- Answered
- Oral
- Answered in the Chamber
- Tabled
- 26 February 2026
- Answer due by
- 10 March 2026
- Answered
- 10 March 202612 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Communities
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Answered in the Assembly Chamber on 10 March 2026. Extract from the Official Report (Hansard), including any supplementary questions:
Mr Lyons
Sport NI has appointed Fathom Consultancy Solutions, which is engaging with a range of stakeholders to take their views, including the national governing bodies of sport in the outdoor sector, partner organisations and commercial operators. The preferred options for a future operating model are expected to be presented to Sport NI for consideration before the end of March 2026. Following that, Sport NI will deliver a wider public consultation to ensure that local communities, stakeholders and centre users can share their views on the proposed options for the future of the centre. The consultation is planned to start in May and run for 12 weeks. I am not in a position to provide an update on the plans and associated timelines to deliver the future operating model, as those will not become apparent until a preferred option is selected.
Mr McMurray
Thank you, Minister. National outdoor centres contribute a huge amount to society, not least through safety, health and economics. Will the Minister meet me and representatives from the national governing bodies to hear at first hand the positive role that national outdoor centres play?
Mr Lyons
I am happy to do that. I hope that we will also hear directly from the Member during the consultation period, because it is a sincere attempt to hear from a wide range of stakeholders and make sure that we put something in place that works for the future.
Ms Forsythe
I thank the Minister for his ongoing engagement with me on the key concerns about Tollymore National Outdoor Centre in the Mournes. I know that the Minister appreciates the important role that it plays, but many people have become concerned as the consultation has progressed. Is there a possibility that the Tollymore National Outdoor Centre could be permanently closed?
Mr Lyons
There are no plans to permanently close the Tollymore National Outdoor Centre. I fully recognise that Tollymore has facilities that are unique to Northern Ireland, and it is an important part of our outdoor activity offering. I am also aware that Sport NI has a duty to ensure value for money for the public purse and the sports sector. However, the centre's temporary closure has continued to facilitate the review, which will allow Sport NI to reimagine the role and function of Tollymore National Outdoor Centre in a financially sustainable way, while ensuring that it continues to develop our outdoor sector. I hope that that provides some reassurance to the Member's constituents and others who use the centre.