New £16m leisure centre edges closer

New £16m leisure centre edges closer

21 February 2018

DOWNPATRICK’S new £16m leisure centre is expected to open this September.

Work on the impressive three-storey building is continuing at pace with no major issues arising at the Market Street site where the ultra-modern leisure centre will feature two swimming pools and a raft of the latest fitness equipment and facilities.

Council officials are also hopeful the latest public sector investment scheme in Downpatrick can act as a catalyst for new private sector interest in the town centre to help with its continuing economic revival.

The new centre is significantly larger that the current leisure facility it will replace, will employ additional staff and open for longer, with plans to open at 6.30am three mornings a week. The new centre will also generate increased income.

Council officials say the new centre will be a district facility and are delighted that after many years talking about building a new leisure complex, its opening is literally just months away.

A new £22m leisure centre opened in Newry recently, with senior council managers keen to see Newry, Mourne and Down Council become a market leader in the field of leisure, health and fitness.

The new leisure centre in Downpatrick has been designed to make an impact and as construction work continues, people have been impressed with the scale of the building. 

Council officials believe the multi-million pound landmark building will play a key role not only in helping foster civic pride, but assisting with the continuing economic regeneration of the Market Street area.

They say public feedback on the new centre has been positive and are confident that once the building has been fitted out, its exterior glass panels are fitted and the scaffolding has been removed, it will have a “wow factor.”

Once construction work has been completed and staff move in, the former leisure centre will be bulldozed to pave the way for a major new parking area.

The opening of the new leisure centre will take place several months into the roll out of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s new sports and play facilities strategies. Just over £2.5m will be spent in the new financial year on delivering 50 new projects across the district.