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08/07/2019
Belfast Leisure Centre Forced To Close
An incident that forced a Belfast Leisure Centre to close on Sunday has been widely condemned.
The entrance to Avoniel Leisure Centre was blocked with debris while a group of men intimidated staff outside as they arrived to open the facility.
The leisure centre was opened as normal this morning, Monday 08, but local politicians have hit out at the incident.
Alliance Councillor for the Titanic area said it is totally unacceptable that the facility was forced to close.
"All this does is deprive ratepayers of services and local people the chance to use a leisure centre at a weekend during the school holidays."
A bonfire has been constructed in the car park in recent weeks and several paramilitary flags erected, according to Sinn Fein Councillor Ciaran Beattie.
Condemning the incident, Councillor Beattie said: "Leisure centres are public assets, they should be open and accessible to all members of the community.
"There is an onus on Unionist politicians to show leadership and to stand firm against this type of behaviour. This behaviour is absolutely reprehensible and has no place in our city and society."
(JG/CM)
The entrance to Avoniel Leisure Centre was blocked with debris while a group of men intimidated staff outside as they arrived to open the facility.
The leisure centre was opened as normal this morning, Monday 08, but local politicians have hit out at the incident.
Alliance Councillor for the Titanic area said it is totally unacceptable that the facility was forced to close.
"All this does is deprive ratepayers of services and local people the chance to use a leisure centre at a weekend during the school holidays."
A bonfire has been constructed in the car park in recent weeks and several paramilitary flags erected, according to Sinn Fein Councillor Ciaran Beattie.
Condemning the incident, Councillor Beattie said: "Leisure centres are public assets, they should be open and accessible to all members of the community.
"There is an onus on Unionist politicians to show leadership and to stand firm against this type of behaviour. This behaviour is absolutely reprehensible and has no place in our city and society."
(JG/CM)
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