22nd October 2024

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has outlined its plans for leisure service provision during the proposed redevelopment of the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum.

The Council is due to meet in December to make its decision on the investment for the proposed redevelopment project.

The redevelopment proposal, which was developed following extensive consultation and engagement with elected representatives, members of the public, statutory and community organisations and local businesses, includes the construction of a new state-of-the-art leisure, health and wellbeing hub, designed and built to the very highest level of environmental sustainability, on the site of the existing 48-year old leisure centre which is approaching the end of its useful life.

It is anticipated that, if approved, the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum will close in December to allow for the proposed redevelopment. It is anticipated the new centre will open in Spring 2027.

The Council recognises that a project of this scale will have an impact and has developed a programme of alternative provision to ensure users of the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum have access to a range of leisure facilities during the proposed redevelopment.

Alternative services will include the opening of a of temporary leisure facility in the new year at Broadmeadow Fitness (former Visitor Information Centre opposite the Translink bus station) with a fitness suite and studio for fitness classes. Some classes will also be held at the neighbouring Fermanagh House.

Swimming lessons, including school swimming, will be provided by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in the Fermanagh area – programme and further details to be provided shortly – and at Omagh Leisure Complex, while leisure swimming is available at the Council’s Omagh Leisure Complex, as well as at a number of other venues operated within the public, community and private sector including Share Discovery Village, Lisnaskea; the Youth Annexe at Fivemiletown College; Ballyshannon Leisure Centre; Cavan Swimming Pool and Leisure Complex; Monaghan Leisure Complex and at a number of local hotels.

There will also be an additional leisure offering provided at the Council’s Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown and Castle Park Centre, Lisnaskea as well as an enhanced programme of leisure and recreation activity provided by the Council in local communities across the Fermanagh area.

The Fermanagh Lakeland Forum team has also been working with sports clubs and ‘block bookers’ to help them to prepare for the proposed redevelopment.

Leisure service arrangements during the proposed redevelopment are currently being shared with Fermanagh Lakeland Forum customers to plan for the centre closure in December 2024, subject to Council approval.

The Council acknowledges the Forum’s importance to many people. The proposed redevelopment of the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum has been designed to benefit the local community and district by creating new opportunities for leisure, health and wellbeing, tourism and the local economy while supporting the local environment through sustainable development and proposed redevelopment methods.

The ambitious proposed 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, sperate learner pool and splash pad 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.

For full details on leisure service provision and Frequently Asked Questions about the proposed redevelopment, please visit the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council website. Alternatively please contact a member of the team at the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum by emailing forum.bookings@fermanaghomagh.com or telephoning 028 6632 4121.