Down Leisure Centre vitality suite to reopen after Covid restrictions

Down Leisure Centre vitality suite to reopen after Covid restrictions

23 February 2022

THE ultra-modern vitality suite at the Down Leisure Centre is expected to reopen by the start of next month.

One of the key attractions of the Downpatrick leisure complex, the suite was closed due to coronavirus restrictions, with its impending reopening confirmed at Monday night’s meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Active and Healthy Communities Committee.

Prior to the meeting, three local politicians who use the leisure centre had called for the reopening of the suite which includes a mini vitality pool, steam room, heated stone bed and sauna.

Cllrs Alan Lewis, Patrick Brown and Cadogan Enright — who are regular users of the gym at the leisure centre — believe all facilities should now be fully reopen with the final easing of most coronavirus restrictions.

Cllr Lewis said the removal of the restrictions “presents an opportunity” for people and facilities to get back to some degree of normality. 

“As lockdown eases, residents are looking toward to rebuilding their health and fitness, seeking to tackle social isolation by engaging in actives which promote health and wellbeing,” he said.

Cllr Lewis said the Down Leisure Centre offers state-of-the-art gym facilities which allow users to fully engage in their chosen programme of exercise, with the vitality suite ideal for a post work-out cool down, rehabilitation, or simply catching up with friends.

“With the reopening of other similar facilities in other venues, we should be looking at developing a plan that can ensure the safe return of the vitality suite,” he said.

“As a member of the Active and Healthy Communities Committee I will be requesting that officers bring forward a plan to ensure a planned and agreed reopening. It’s time to get the leisure centre back on track so let’s encourage exercise while promoting healthy and active lifestyles.”

Cllr Brown said as regular gym users, he and his two colleagues want to see the facility open and used properly by paying members.

“We have been contacted by a huge number of people keen to see all the leisure centre facilities open again, with many expressing the health and wellbeing benefits it brought them pre-Covid,” he said.

“Given the removal of all restrictions, the local council should no longer use Covid as an excuse to keep this facility closed, especially when the vast majority of similar facilities across the country are open.”

Concurring, Cllr Enright said gym users want the leisure centre’s facilities fully open now Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

He added: “I have received phone calls, emails and even personal approaches while using the gym with people making this very point.

“In addition, they also want gym equipment that was taped up during Covid-19 to be brought back into use, alongside other facilities to ensure the leisure centre gets back to full operating capacity.”