Robinson Centre In East Belfast To Be Renamed

A leisure centre in east Belfast named after former DUP leader Peter Robinson is set to be renamed.

The Robinson Centre on the Montgomery Road is currently undergoing a £20m regeneration project, and was given the name in the 1980's by Castlereagh Borough Council.

The centre's control was transferred to Belfast City Council in 2015, and concerns were later raised over the state of the art facility's chosen name when it reopens.

The council claimed that as the centre named after the former first minister and DUP leader was not new, and instead a refurbishment, the name would stay.

However the council's Strategic Policy and Resources committee met today, 22 February, to debate the matter. Subject to full council ratification, it will now be named the Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre.

Alliance Councillor Michael Long has welcomed the decision, after his party proposed the immediate renaming, going against Sinn Fein's suggestion to send the issue out to public consultation.

The councillor said: "Alliance has always opposed the Peter Robinson vanity projects in the old Castlereagh Council, however it is strange other parties waited until we are in the mouth of a local government election to speak up and take action on this particular centre.


"The name Lisnasharragh reflects the geographical location, as well as the Belfast City Council District Electoral Area the centre is situated in, so it is perfect. While the new centre should be seen as welcoming for everyone across our city, the issue around the naming should not deflect from the fact the bigger issue is local ratepayers have been left without decent leisure facilities for several years, something which Alliance also sought to address through the provision of temporary facilities, unsuccessfully due to opposition from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, DUP and UUP."



(JG)