The local Councillor has consistently raised the issue over the past five years, adding it is ‘simply unfair’ to people living in Antrim who have access to limited services compared to elsewhere in Newtownabbey.
“The services provided are so different,” said Councillor Neil Kelly.
“If you live in Newtownabbey you can get up on a Sunday morning, go to the gym at the Valley Leisure Centre at 9am, go home and work in the garden and take the rubbish to Brushlee centre all before the Antrim Forum has opened its doors at 2pm.
“It’s also strange that in Antrim you can use the council golf course at 8am on a Sunday, finish your eighteen holes go into the council owned clubhouse and have a few pints, yet the Council-operated recycling centre remains closed all day.
“This is unacceptable to the ratepayer in Antrim and is not providing value for money. The Valley leisure centre in Newtownabbey is open many more hours per week than the Antrim Forum, including 5 hours longer every Sunday and the recycling centre in Newtownabbey is open for over 8 hours every Sunday.
“I have raised this issue during my five years on the council and want to assure the people of Antrim that I will continue to do so until all of our ratepayers in the Borough are treated equally and fairly including those in our Town.
“I am confident that this matter will be resolved by the new Council as we continue to develop and provide top class flexible services that are equitable and fair to everyone no matter where you live in the Borough.”