“I am pleased that we have reached this point which will allow the project to move forward towards its construction phase, which is currently on target for completion in 2012 and which will create much needed construction jobs,” the Minister said this week. North Down Borough Council is to receive up to £15million towards the capital costs of building the pool in Bangor, which forms part of a larger leisure complex development being undertaken by North Down Borough Council. The 50 metre pool project is the first phase in the Elite Facilities Programme being operated by Sport Northern Ireland. The programme was announced in 2006 for high priority sports infrastructure projects which would enable winning projects to attract up to 75 per cent of capital costs. Applications to second phase of the programme are currently under consideration by Sport Northern Ireland. “I am hopeful that in the not too far distant future I will be announcing other proposals for sporting facilities, currently being examined by Sport Northern Ireland under phase two of the Elite Facilities Programme,” the Minister added. “I wish North Down Borough Council every success for the future development and construction of its new Leisure Complex, which will include the 50 metre pool. I look forward to hearing about its progress and to visiting again when building work commences,” he said.