Transforming leisure services

We’re investing £105 million over the next ten years to improve our leisure centres, programmes and services. This is a unique opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing of our city, by delivering a quality service that meets the needs of our communities.

This investment forms part of our £325 million physical investment programme and includes areas that became part of the Belfast City Area in 2015 through Local Government Reform.

We're keen that each of the developments offer a unique selling point (USP) which will encourage people to move across the city to use the different facilities.

Centre USPs

The leisure centres (excluding Templemore Baths) are managed by GLL under the Better brand. GLL is a non-profit distributing organisation (NPDO) experienced in leisure facility management. This business model will help deliver efficiencies, fresh programming, greater outreach, improved facilities and new opportunities for staff.

Timescales for delivery

Construction work on our capital redevelopments is taking place in distinct phases to minimise disruption to our services.

The first phase of this programme focused on the development of Olympia Leisure Centre.

The redevelopment of Andersonstown Leisure Centre, Brook Activity Centre and Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre sites make up the latest phase of work. Brook and Lisnasharragh are open. A decision on Andersonstown's opening will depend on government guidance for coronavirus (COVID-19).

Work began in January 2020 to redevelop Avoniel. Work to restore and extend Templemore Baths is due to begin in June 2020.

There are also plans for a new leisure facility at the Girdwood Community Hub in north Belfast. We are currently considering options for the development in partnership with Department for Communities.