Contractor appointed to finalise design for the redevelopment of Fermanagh Lakeland Forum

The redevelopment of the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum took a step closer to construction today as local company, GRAHAM, was appointed by Fermanagh & Omagh District Council as the contractor to finalise the design.

This flagship Council project will see the construction of a new state-of-the-art leisure, health and wellbeing hub in Enniskillen, which will be designed and built to the very highest level of environmental sustainability.

Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry, said:
“The overall proposal to redevelop the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum and surrounding area has been designed to benefit local people and the wider district by creating new opportunities for leisure and recreation, health and wellbeing, tourism, and the local economy, whilst supporting the local environment through sustainable development and construction methods.

The awarding of the design contract to GRAHAM is another key milestone in the proposed redevelopment of the leisure centre and will see the overall design finalised to enable the Council to make a decision on the overall project.”

The ambitious redevelopment plan – which was awarded £20m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund last year – will see the development of the only Passivhaus leisure centre on the island of Ireland, with environmental sustainability at its core; with cutting edge sports amenities including a new 8-lane swimming pool, separate learner pool and splash pad area for young children and gym facilities. It also includes versatile community and multipurpose spaces for health partners and others, with dedicated areas for health and wellness activities.
Outdoors, the proposal includes a destination playpark and urban sports park; 3G sports pitch; new cycling, walking and running trails; the development of an active waterfront area and improved pedestrian linkages to Enniskillen town centre.

The proposal was developed following extensive consultation and engagement with elected representatives, members of the public, statutory and community organisations and local businesses. Fermanagh and Omagh District Council continues to engage with all relevant stakeholders at each stage of the process.

Jonathan Hall, Managing Director – Building South at GRAHAM, said:
“We’re pleased to have been selected through Pagabo’s major works framework to finalise the design for the redevelopment of the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum. This project, which will feature Ireland’s only Passivhaus-certified leisure centre, is pushing the boundaries of environmental sustainability. It’s an exciting opportunity to create a state-of-the-art facility that will enhance local health, wellness, and recreation, and set a new standard in sustainable development.”

The final design will form part of the Full Business Case for the project, which will be considered by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council later this year, when a decision on the investment for the proposed project to move to construction stage will be made.
For more information on the project visit www.fermanaghomagh.com
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Notes to Editors:
About Fermanagh Omagh District Council

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is one of the 11 councils in Northern Ireland, which covers the area of County Fermanagh and the southern area of Co Tyrone. The council area is home to approx. 116,812 people, as well as a range of businesses and services.
The council delivers a range of statutory functions and public services, including waste management and recycling, street cleansing, recreation, sport and leisure services, culture and arts facilities and events, tourism and economic development and regeneration, as well as community and good relations support.

Fermanagh Lakeland Forum is one of four leisure complexes managed by the council, which provide indoor and outdoor facilities.
For media enquiries contact communications@fermanaghomagh.com

About GRAHAM
GRAHAM is a privately-owned, national construction and development company with a £1.125bn turnover, operating from a network of 17 regional offices throughout the UK and Ireland and employing a workforce of 2,500.
Focussed on a sustainable growth model, GRAHAM has a healthy £2bn+ pipeline of secured work in its core market sectors (building, civil engineering, interior fit-out, facilities management and development management).

The foundation of this success is its exemplary people development strategy, framed within a culture of Fairness, Inclusion & Respect. GRAHAM continues to make substantial investments in the skills and development of its people and supply chain and notably, was the first UK organisation to achieve Investors in People (IIP) “We invest in Wellbeing Platinum” status. IIP reaccredited GRAHAM with “We invest in People Platinum” for the third time in 2024 and was also awarded “Investor in Diversity Gold”, securing the 29th position among the Top 100 Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion companies in the UK.

Reflecting the Group’s guiding principle, “delivering lasting impact”, GRAHAM has generated a £538.4m Social Economic Return on Investment (SROI) and is on course to achieve its target of Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2030 (direct emissions).
For more information, visit the website: www.graham.co.uk

About Levelling Up Funding
Levelling Up Funding is money provided by the UK government designed to fund projects which would make a visible positive difference in the local area as well as improve jobs, invest in towns and high streets and protect health and wellbeing.
Fermanagh & Omagh District Council secured £20 million, the highest award in Northern Ireland, in the Round 2 funding allocation. This substantial funding supports the ambitious redevelopment of the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum, transforming it into a state of the art leisure and wellbeing hub.
For more information, visit the website: www.gov.uk