Fermanagh Lakeland Forum – Proposed Redevelopment

The Fermanagh Lakeland Forum was built in 1976. A building of this age faces significant maintenance and repair issues, which impact on the operation and running costs, including energy costs. The rationale for the redevelopment is based upon balancing the cost of ongoing maintenance and repairs and the opportunity to significantly improve the facilities, and create a modern, high standard facility for all.

If approved, the ambitious redevelopment plan will see the development of a first class, modern sports facility at the heart of Enniskillen, with environmental sustainability at its core as Ireland's only Passivhaus leisure centre.

Facilities include: State of the art leisure, health and wellbeing hub; 8 lane swimming pool; Separate learner pool; Splash pad area for young children; Gym facilities; Community and multipurpose spaces; Destination playpark; Urban sports park; Replacement large synthetic sports pitch; New cycle, walking and running trails; An active waterfront area; Outdoor events area and Improved pedestrian linkages to Enniskillen town centre. All designed to complement and enhance the natural and historical landscape & increase biodiversity.

The facilities proposed are: Space for activity providers to promote their services; A watersports hub / point which includes a reception / gathering space from which there is access to changing rooms; Outdoor sports changing rooms including accessible change, to include locker provisions and Boating (non-motorised) floating pontoon platform and steps area to access water.

Buildings are a significant culprit of carbon emissions – accountable for 35% of total global energy consumption. Backed with over 30 years of international evidence, Passivhaus is a tried & tested solution that gives a range of proven approaches to deliver net-zero-ready new and existing buildings optimised for a decarbonised grid and augmented for occupant health and wellbeing. Passivhaus buildings provide a high level of occupant comfort using very little energy for heating and cooling.

Passivhaus adopts a whole-building approach with clear, measured targets, focused on high-quality construction, certified through an exacting quality assurance process.

The redeveloped Forum will have an efficient plan, very high levels of insulation, and building orientation to maximise solar energy and reduce cooling. Having an all electric plant means that the building can take advantage of forecasted increased proportion of green energy into the grid.

Planning approval was granted on 20 September 2023. The full business case will be considered by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in December 2024 when it makes its decision on the investment for the proposed project.

No. The proposed project involves the redevelopment of a new state-of-the-art leisure, health and wellbeing hub on the existing site. The Council is expected to make its investment decision on the proposed redevelopment of the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum in December 2024. If approved, it is anticipated that the Forum will close in December and reopen in Spring 2027.

Several site options were considered during the early stages of design development for the new centre. Each of these sites were analysed against a range of factors including Planning complexity/ heritage policy, capital cost, deliverability from technical perspective with sufficient scale, increasing connectivity to the waterways, degree of ‘on site’ service continuity and ability to avoid significant utility routes.

Detailed evaluation against all these factors resulted in the preferred option to build the new centre on the footprint of the existing Forum.

No. The proposed project involves the redevelopment of a new state-of-the-art leisure, health and wellbeing hub on the existing site. The Council is expected to make its investment decision on the proposed redevelopment of the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum in December 2024. It is anticipated that, if approved, the Forum will close in December to allow for the proposed redevelopment.

We have been working hard to put in place a range of options to access leisure services during the redevelopment of the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum. Further information is available in the FAQs below.

The Council plans to open a temporary fitness suite and studio for fitness classes at Broadmeadow Fitness, Enniskillen in the new year. Broadmeadow Fitness (former Visitor Information Centre, located opposite the Translink bus depot) will be managed by the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum team. Broadmeadow Fitness will be an accessible venue. Shower and changing facilities will not be available. Some classes will also take place in the neighbouring Fermanagh House. Further information on opening hours, a class programme and booking will be shared closer to the time of opening. Fitness suites and classes are also available at Omagh Leisure Complex, Castle Park Leisure Centre, Lisnaskea and Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown.

Yes.

An additional leisure offering will be provided at the Council’s Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown and Castle Park Centre, Lisnaskea. There will also be additional leisure and recreation services in local communities across the Fermanagh area during the proposed redevelopment of the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum. Further information will be shared closer to the time.

The team at the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum have been engaging with sports clubs and block bookers to help them to prepare for the proposed redevelopment of the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum. Please speak to your main club contact for further information on alternative arrangements.

Swimming will be 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 in the surrounding area. These include: 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. To find out more, please contact the relevant venue directly.

Swimming lessons will be available at Omagh Leisure Complex. These are bookable by contacting Omagh Leisure Complex directly. Swimming lessons will also be available in the Fermanagh area; the programme and further details will be available shortly.

Swimming lessons at Omagh Leisure Complex will be advertised on Omagh Leisure Complex’s Facebook page as normal. The swimming programme in the Fermanagh area will be advertised on the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum Facebook page and bookable through the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum team in due course.

School swimming lessons will be available at Omagh Leisure Complex. School swimming will also be available in the Fermanagh area. A member of the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum team will be in touch with schools about the school swimming programme.

The Council operates an indoor soft play area at the Castle Park Centre, Lisnaskea. Please contact the centre directly for further information.

Birthday party packages are available at the Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown; Castle Park Centre, Lisnaskea and Omagh Leisure Complex. Please contact the centre directly for further information.

A Sensory Room is available at the Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown. Please contact the Bawnacre Centre directly for further information.

Squash courts and equipment is available for hire at Castle Park Centre, Lisnaskea. Badminton and pickleball courts and equipment are available for hire at Castle Park Centre, Lisnaskea, Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown and Omagh Leisure Complex. Please contact the relevant centre directly for booking.

Sports hall and room hire is available at Omagh Leisure Complex, Castle Park Leisure Centre, Lisnaskea; the Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown and various Enniskillen based providers within the public and community sector. Our team at the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum is available to discuss your requirements and provide information on alternative options in the local community.

An accessible changing facility with Changing Places equipment will be available at Enniskillen Castle during normal opening hours.

The large synthetic pitch will be available for use and bookable by contacting the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum team. Alternative options will be shared closer to time of when it becomes unavailable. The small synthetic pitch, running track and changing facilities will be unavailable during the proposed redevelopment.

Yes. Grass pitches will be available for use throughout the proposed redevelopment and bookable via the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum team. Changing facilities will be unavailable during the proposed redevelopment.

Existing Household, Inclusive and Fitness memberships will continue as normal during the proposed redevelopment and can be used at the Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown; Castle Park Centre, Lisnaskea; Omagh Leisure Complex and Broadmeadow Fitness, Enniskillen. The Aquatic membership for the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum will end when the centre closes. Aquatic membership is available for Omagh Leisure Complex. Please speak to a member of the team if you would like to discuss your membership options or email memberships@fermanaghomagh.com