ABC Council has been able to ’splash’ out on a range of added extras for local swimming pools and leisure centres.
And it’s all thanks to an ‘underspend’ identified within its Health and Recreation Department budget.
But as the council works to make changes, it will mean a number of closures at various venues.
A report to council’s community and wellbeing equipment advises that a number of centres have bought new gym and studio equipment.
To that end, South Lake Leisure Centre gym area has scheduled a “large upgrade”, which will require a two-day closure next Wednesday and Thursday, March 18 and 19.
Council officers have also bought a “volume of spare parts for each centre” which will be stored on site to speed up the repair time for equipment.
Further investment is ongoing, with painting works at South Lake Leisure Centre, Keady, Gilford, Tandragee and Banbridge Leisure Centre.
The report to committee adds: “Other investment into the centres include robotic cleaners, outdoor chess tables, café furniture, bouncy castles, swimming lane ropes, pool pod and gymnastics equipment.”
Refurbishment works are also scheduled for Banbridge Leisure Centre.
But this will see the sports hall in the venue closed to the public from Monday, March 16 until Friday, March 27, when the surface will be sanded, varnished and lines re-painted.
The Orchard Leisure Centre in Armagh was closed for two days in February to allow for essential maintenance.
The repairs were described as “successful” with “normal heating returned to the building”.
In terms of what next for Armagh, the report advises that officers are now working towards a £1.8 million investment which will include a full refurbishment of the health suite.
