Castlereagh council closes Maysfield leisure centre and then builds exclusive Golf course

by six iron Sat Jul 02, 2005 01:12

Are you upset because you don't think Catholics like golf or because you don't think members of the working class like golf?

I am both Catholic and working class but I like golf.

Or are you upset because you think that loyalists should attend integrated clubs in republican areas but republicans shouldn't have to work out in loyalist surroundings?

Are loyalists fitter than republicans?

Are the greens on Castlereagh golf course orange?

by .. Sat Jul 02, 2005 03:53

Belfast council owns Maysfield not Castlereagh Council.

by city of exclusion Sat Jul 02, 2005 14:14

Rich catholics like golf, and have no probelm fraternising with other middle class and rich protestants. Being able to play Golf is a social status symbol, for those aspiring to be middle class and those interested in social climbing.

The issue is that BELFAST HAS NO NEUTRAL LEISURE centre, Maysfield was situated in central belfast, it also had a progressive attitude to exercise and training facilitating disabled, able bodied, protestant, catholic, rich, poor and ethnic minorities communities in a relaxed friendly atmosphere.

At the moment training within in clubs formerly based at Maysfield is disrupted, with attendence down 50-75% catholics must run the gauntlet of loyalist parades in order to attend leisure centres located in predominantly loyalist leisure centres. Protestants must also run the gauntlet of parades, and loyalists wondering why their not out supporting parades instead of attending trainning.

by make poverty history kill the rich Sat Jul 02, 2005 17:14

Castlereagh borough council are a law unto themselves. At a time when essential services such as health services, Special needs education, school buses etc are being cut in east belfast, to then go and spend tax and rate payers money on providing NON essential leisure amenities such as Golf courses for the rich is madness.

I'm a working class protestant and i'm sure there are alot of working class protestants who are far from thrilled about another Golf course for the pampered rich.

I've trained in public leisure centres throughout the sectarian divide in Belfast, most of these leisure centres be they in Andytown or Avoniel all practise non sectarian inclusive policies, and the staff who attend these centres are from all denominations. There is no problem inside the actual leisure centres, but there is an element of risk travelling through certain areas, which there wasn't when attending the neutral, centrally located Maysfield leisure centre.

It wasn't so long ago in the 1970's that half the players, both catholic and protestant of an integrated football team in the ormeau road were shot dead by loyalists. So ordinary working class people have died because of their dedication and love of certain sports which transcend the sectarian divide.

Maysfield was not only a centre for progressive sports training policies with regard to disability,sectarianism and race, but certain martial arts clubs at it, such as the Tai-jit -su club, were of olympic standard and their training would have been better than clubs at Queens PEC in south belfast.

One of the most oppressive unfriendly leisure centres to train in would be Queens PEC which is set in neutral south belfast, simply because it's exclusively for students, and those able to afford to pay £260 for membership, in an effort to exclude the ordinary public, non members and non students have to pay £3.20.

by Paul Panther Wed Jul 06, 2005 20:49 Paulirlanda at hotmail dot com

If the author doesn't even know Maysfield is owned by Belfast City Council, not Castlereagh, how can anyone take his/her's golf club predictions seriously?
Grow up and get a life.

by john Wed Jul 06, 2005 21:21

what is it that is so oppressive and unfriendly about Queens PEC?

by belfastjoe Sun Sep 03, 2006 21:25 nicebelfastlad at yahoo dot com

The reason why Maysfield was closed down was nothing to do with "it would be too expensive to bring it up to standard for disabled access" but the greedy city councillors couldn't wait to sell it to the grasping property developers. Maysfield is located in an area surround by yuppie flats and new office towerblocks (Kentucky Fried Chicken even sold out to an office tower block - this was the only fast food outlet beside the Central Railway Station, try eating the slop they serve in the station now!) It isn't really surprising that a bunch of politicians who sat on their fat back sides and did nothing during "the troubles" (except to exacerbate the situation) would give a damn about a neutral venue all could use. The only thing they care about is grabbing money for themselves and keeping themselves in a job. They have done very nicely out of a deeply divided city thank you very much.

by John Tue Dec 26, 2006 23:48

clearly this is a bit dated now, but was looking information on the golf club and came across this, im from inner east belfast and definately working class, im in my late 20's and i been playing golf since I was about 7 years old, so its fook all to do with upper class/middle class or rich..

but like people have already said, Maysfield has nothing to do with Castlereagh Council haha. I've played indoor and outdoor footy at Falls, Beachmount, Valley and many other both Protestant and Catholic area centres and never had a problem.

These things are all in your mind, really no one cares anymore the way they used to back in the 80's.. alot of you need to wise up...