AQW 38768/22-27

Mr Andrew McMurray
Alliance Party
South Down

Tabled Date: 21/01/2026
Answered On Date: 02/03/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on the systems review regarding Tollymore National Outdoor Centre.

Answer:

Sport NI has primary responsibility for the management of Tollymore National Outdoor Centre, making this an operational matter for the organisation.

I have sought the requested information from the Chief Executive of Sport NI who has provided me with the following response.

“Sport NI has appointed a specialist advisory firm, Fathom Consultancy Solutions (Fathom), to support the Strategic Review of Tollymore National Outdoor Centre (TNOC). The project commenced in December 2025.

The Strategic Review is aimed at finding a more financially sustainable operating model for the publicly owned centre. In the last financial year of its operation, Tollymore National Outdoor Centre cost over £1.3million to run, versus an income of around £250,000.

The Strategic Review will examine how the specialist needs of the region’s outdoor sector could be balanced with improved utilisation of the centre’s outdoor recreation facilities by the wider community and visitors; and will examine a range of possible operating models.”