The facility, located near Tollymore Forest Park, has been shut since January due to storm damage from Storm Éowyn and is now expected to remain closed for up to a year while Sport NI conducts a full review of its future.

Sport NI, which operates the centre, stated that its current financial model is unsustainable, citing operating costs of over £1.3 million against an annual income of just £250,000. The organisation has begun redundancy consultation with a small number of staff.

Local advocates, such as Kath Maguire, the founder of women’s sports group The Feel Good Factor, voiced disappointment over the closure and potential job losses. “We’ve really missed this incredible facility,” she said. “We’re hopeful it won’t close permanently and will return stronger.”

The centre has long served as a hub for outdoor education and training in rock climbing, hillwalking, kayaking, and more. Many, like Alliance MLA Andrew McMurray, have personal ties to the facility. “It’s more than a building, it’s a living space for learning, memories, and community,” he said. McMurray, who trained there and later held his wedding reception on-site, stressed the importance of maintaining such a unique space.

The closure is also impacting school and youth groups. Shimna Integrated College principal Steve Pagan said Tollymore had played a vital role in student education and extra-curricular development, particularly through the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Trade union NIPSA criticised the decision, calling the potential closure “an exceptional waste of resources” and emphasising the centre’s historical value to Northern Ireland’s outdoor sports sector.

Sport NI said its ongoing review will explore options to redefine the centre’s role in a sustainable way, aiming to preserve its legacy while addressing financial challenges.