NMD Be Active Leisure

03/11/2026

📢 Service Announcement: Donard Park Improvement Works 🚧

Improvement works at Donard Park, Newcastle will commence on Wednesday 4 November to enhance safety, accessibility and the overall visitor experience.

The works will include:
✅ New automated barriers and rising bollards
✅ Improved lighting and streetlights
✅ Upgraded pathways and access routes
✅ Enhancements to the main entrance and traffic island
✅ Landscaping and resurfacing works

🚗 Access Arrangements Vehicular and pedestrian access to both the main and overflow car parks will be maintained throughout the works.

Please note there will be a short temporary closure of approximately 3 to 4 days to facilitate the installation of rising bollards at the overflow car park entrance. Details of this closure will be shared once confirmed.

Visitors are asked to take care when visiting the park and to follow all onsite signage and instructions.

Works are expected to be completed by 15 December 2026.

🔗 Read more: https://tinyurl.com/2s452278
We thank park users for their patience and cooperation while these important improvements are carried out.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is to begin a programme of improvement works at Newcastle’s Donard Park in early November 2026.

29/10/2026

🚨 Service Announcement - Ballymote Sports and Wellbeing Centre Closure 🚨

📢 Service Notice

Please be advised that Ballymote Sports and Wellbeing Centre will be closed on Saturday 31 October due to operational requirements.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

✅ The centre will reopen at 1:30pm on Sunday 1 November.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

26/10/2026

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 - 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲
Due to contamination, the Learner Pool in Down Leisure Centre is currently 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 and will reopen again tomorrow
as normal.

The main pool remains open.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

23/10/2026

Service Announcement - Learner Pool, Newry Leisure Centre

📢 Please be advised that due to unforeseen circumstances, the Learner Pool at Newry Leisure Centre is closed this evening.

🔧 Our team is working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

✅ All other facilities and services remain open and operating as normal.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience and understanding. 💙

23/10/2026

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄 – 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄; 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟒 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 – 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟓 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
In line with the Met Office Yellow Weather Warning for strong winds from 10am on Saturday 24 October 2026 to 12noon on Sunday 25 October 2026 some disruption to our services is expected:

🟡𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬
The district’s four Forest/Country Parks (Castlewellan, Delamont, Kilbroney and Slieve Gullion), Warrenpoint Park and Community Trails, Play Parks and Open Spaces are 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 on Saturday, reopening Sunday afternoon subject to safety checks.
All associated facilities (Forest drives, Mountain Bike Trails, cafes etc) will also be closed due to the increased likelihood and risks associated with flying branches and debris. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐯𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬. Mountain Bike Trails will reopen on Monday following safety checks.

🟡𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟒 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝. 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 (𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐬).

🟡𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬
Household Recycling Centres will be 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 on Saturday 24 October. They will reopen as normal on Monday 26 October subject to safety checks and any necessary repairs.

🟡𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬
Newcastle and Killough harbour gates are 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 on Saturday 24 October and Sunday 25 October and will reopen subject to safety checks and any necessary repairs. There is no access for pedestrians or vehicles.

🟡𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐓𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐬
Public toilets will be 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 for the duration of the weather warning.

Members of the public should also refrain from visiting coastal and beach areas during the period of the weather warning. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Be prepared for weather warnings to change, when a weather warning is issued the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
For more information: https://tinyurl.com/76x6z6s8
Please keep an eye on our social media channels for further updates.

Stay

23/10/2026

🏃‍♂️🌲 Cross-country fun at Kilbroney Forest Park!

It was great to welcome 275 Primary 7 students from 23 schools across the district to our annual Be Active P7 Cross-Country Event at Kilbroney Forest Park, Rostrevor.

A huge well done to all the pupils who proudly represented their schools and gave their all on the day, despite soft ground, breezy conditions and the odd shower. Their enthusiasm and positive spirit made it a memorable event for everyone involved. 👏

To read more about the event, visit:
https://tinyurl.com/3hvm53mu

🏅🌿

23/10/2026

🔊 Great job opportunities below, including student placements for 2027-2028 🌟Join our team! 🌟

𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐎𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬
𝐁𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦
We are currently recruiting for the following positions👇

• Refuse and Cleansing Supervisor
• Education and Enforcement Manager
🔴Closing date: Monday 26 October 2026 at 12 noon

•Assistant Director: Finance and Performance
• Head of Administration and Customer Services
🔴Closing date: Monday 9 November 2026 at 12noon

Student Placements 2027-28 (11 posts)
• Building Control
• Communications and Marketing (Digital)
• Digital Innovation (Regeneration)
• Environmental Health
• Events
• GIS
• Human Resources
• Information Technology
• Legal
• Marketing (Indoor Leisure)
• Sustainability
🔴Closing date: Monday 9 November 2026 at 12noon

• Drivers Category C1 Cleansing
🔴Closing date: Wednesday 11 November 2026 at 12noon

To apply, please visit 👉 www.newrymournedown.org/jobs

23/10/2026

𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 - Swimming Pool Closure, Newry Leisure Centre

📢 Due to a swimming gala being held on 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟰 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿, the main pool, leisure pool, learner pool and health suite in Newry Leisure Centre will be closed all day.

✅ All other Centre facilities will remain open during this time.
🏋️‍♀️ 🧘‍♂️ ☕️ ⚽️

🏊‍♂️ The pool will reopen as normal on Sunday 25 October.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

22/10/2026

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 & 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 🏊‍♀️

✅ 6 week block
⏱️ 30 minute lessons
📆 Week commencing 2 November 2026
💵 Children's lessons | £36
💵 Adult lessons | £48

🐠 Stanley 1 – Suitable for beginners aged 4–7 years
🐙 Octopus 1 – Suitable for beginners aged 7+ years
🏊‍♀️ Adult lessons – Suitable for ages 18+
✅ No previous experience required

𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗟𝗘𝗜𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗘
𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀

🐠 Stanley 1 - 3:00pm (2 spaces remaining)
🐙 Octopus 1 - 4:25pm (3 spaces remaining)
🏊‍♀️ Adult Beginner - 6:05pm (1 space remaining)
🐙 Octopus 1 - 6:20pm

𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀

🏊‍♀️ Adult Improvers - 6:05pm (2 spaces remaining)
🏊‍♀️ Adult Beginners - 6:35pm (2 spaces remaining)

𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀

🐙 Octopus 1 - 3:00pm (8 spaces remaining)

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗥𝗬 𝗟𝗘𝗜𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗘
𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀

🐠 Stanley 1 - 3:00pm (6 spaces remaining)
🐠 Stanley 1 - 4:00pm (6 spaces remaining)
🐙 Octopus 1 - 5:25pm (8 spaces remaining)
🐙 Octopus 1 - 6:20pm (8 spaces remaining)

𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀

🐙 Octopus 1 - 4:00pm (8 spaces remaining)
🐠 Stanley 1 - 4:55pm (6 spaces remaining)
🏊‍♀️ Adult Beginner - 6:20pm (6 spaces remaining)

𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀

🐠 Stanley 1 - 4:00pm (6 spaces remaining)
🐙 Octopus 1 - 4:00pm (8 spaces remaining)
🐠 Stanley 1 - 4:55pm (6 spaces remaining)
🏊‍♀️ Adult Beginner - 6:20pm (6 spaces remaining)

Number of spaces available correct at time of posting.

❗ 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟵 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬𝗮𝗺 ❗

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄:
https://tinyurl.com/y3ux2yvt

(On the 'Main Category' drop-down menu select 'Swimming Lessons' to search and see all available courses.)

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

▪️ Swimming lessons are sold on a first come, first served basis.
▪️ You must have booked and paid for your swimming course to secure your place.
▪️ All bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable unless cancelled by Council.
▪️ A registration form must be completed on arrival.

For more information call 📞 0330 137 4026 or email:
▪️ Newry Leisure Centre – 📧 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻@𝗻𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗱.𝗼𝗿𝗴
▪️ Down Leisure Centre – 📧 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗲𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲@𝗻𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗱.𝗼𝗿𝗴

💦 Secure your place today and start your swimming journey with us! 🏊‍♂️

21/10/2026

SWIM TESTS FOR CHILDREN'S SWIMMING LESSONS 🏊‍♂️
Does your child already have some swimming experience and you're not sure which lesson stage is right for them?

We're holding swim tests at Newry Leisure Centre and Down Leisure Centre to help assess your child's current ability and ensure they are placed in the most suitable swimming lesson.

Our qualified swim teachers will carry out a short, friendly assessment to help match your child to the right class.

📅 Test Dates:
Monday 26 October, 2026
Friday 30 October, 2026
Swim tests will take place at various times across the day.

Following assessments, children will be put into the following lessons categories:

🐙 OCTOPUS 2 -3: Perfect for beginners who are ready to build confidence and improve their swimming skills. Must be able to travel 5m Front and Back.

🐠 GOLDFISH: For children who can put their face in the water, practise breathing, and swim 20 metres unaided.

🐬 ANGELFISH: For children who can swim 25 metres without stopping and are confident putting their face in the water.

🦈 SHARK: For confident swimmers who can swim two lengths of the main pool and tread water for at least 40 seconds.

⚠️ Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that a successful assessment does not guarantee a lesson place.

📩 To book at test or to find out more email
Newry Leisure Reception: [email protected]
Down Leisure Centre Reception: [email protected]

Beginner lessons ( Stanley 1, Octopus 1 and Adult Beginner Lessons) will be advertised on Thursday 22 October, 2026 and do NOT require a swim test.