First look inside new £16m Down Leisure Centre with ‘wow factor’

First look inside new £16m Down Leisure Centre with ‘wow factor’

19 September 2018

THE new £16m Down Leisure Centre, which opens its doors to the public in November, has the ”wow factor” those closely involved in its design always promised it would have.

While very much a community facility, the ultra-modern and futuristic three-storey building boasts a stunning range of facilities which would rival any of those more commonly found in leisure complexes attached to five star hotels.

While the finishing touches are being put to the 6,500 square metre, three-storey Market Street building, the Down Recorder was last week given a sneak preview of the stunning new centre that has been a long time coming. 

Plans for the new complex were first discussed well over a decade ago and despite raised eyebrows about building the centre in front of the ageing facility it will replace, everything has gone smoothly with council officials delighted they now have a leisure complex that will be the envy of many. 

They are confident that once the centre opens its doors to the public, people will recognise the long wait for a new leisure complex has been worth it, with the new vitality suite on the top floor which boasts a sauna, steam room and small pool with its own mini fountain, particularly stunning.

The spacious and airy entrance foyer opens up to reveal two swimming pools, one of which has a moveable floor. There is a reception, lobby area and ground floor studio with Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s corporate colours a recurring theme throughout the building.

There are dedicated changing facilities on the ground floor with the pools designed for use by people of all abilities. The smaller of the two pools measures eight metres by 13, while the main 25-metre pool boats six lanes and electronic touch pads to time races.

Throughout the building, every effort has been made to flood it with as much natural light as possible which helps provide the centre with its imposing look. A boccia court designed for use by disabled bowlers is also located on the ground floor, with this particular area also doubling up as a dance studio and multipurpose hall.

Council officials have also revealed the new centre’s ground floor level is higher than the main road outside to protect the building from future flooding that may occur in this part of the town and which was a significant problem a number of years ago.

Modern sound proofing techniques have been deployed throughout the building, particularly in the swimming pool and main hall areas. When the natural light fades,  subtle, state-of-the-art LED lighting illuminates the building, adding to its unique character.

Mains gas was connected to the building which also boasts a combined heat and power source which helps minimise its carbon footprint with photovoltaic cells on the roof helping heat the water in the pools and shower systems across a number of changing room areas. In addition, air source heat pumps sucks in cold air from the outside and turns into warm air.

So-called ocalux glass allows natural light to stream into the building on the ground floor, also reducing glare and preventing people from outside looking in.

There are miles of pipework and electric cables with the plant room — the new leisure complex’s nerve centre — resembling something akin to the interior of a futuristic space ship.

The impressive four court hall on the first floor can be used for a variety of sports, including badminton, basketball and five-a-side football. One of the walls has also been specially marked at the request of the Down Handball Club. 

As with the ground floor swimming pools, there is also a dedicated viewing area over the main hall, while nearby there is a dedicated area for racquet ball and handball.

A spin studio and multi-purpose area are also located on the second floor, with all music and sound systems built in and controlled from the main reception area.

The third floor boasts spectacular views across to Down Cathedral, the Dromara Hills, the Mournes and across Dunleath Park towards the Vianstown area.

When not admiring the views, users can immerse themselves in getting fit or pampering themselves in the vitality suite. The third floor boasts an 85-station fitness suite and fitness room that can be hired by sports clubs to use. Council officials say the use of the top floor will evolve over time and has the capacity to respond to need.

Each of the eight beams which hold the top floor in place weigh 35 tonnes and had to be put in place overnight as part of a military-style operation which involved heavy lifting gear and went without a hitch.

The vitality area extenuates the wow factor, featuring a relaxation pool alongside steam and sauna rooms, with the careful attention to detail in the design process accentuating this particular area where people can relax and unwind. There is also a dedicated lift to take people from the swimming pool area directly to the top floor.

Council director Michael Lipsett said the new leisure centre was top of his in-tray when he joined the local authority eight years ago.

Since then, he has attended countless meetings to propel the scheme forward and is delighted ratepayers will soon have an opportunity to use a centre which the district can be justifiably be very proud of.

“The long wait has been worth it and this is a fantastic building which I have no doubt people will appreciate and enjoy. It will also be a pleasure for our leisure staff to move to a modern building.”

Mr Lipsett added: “I have watched the building grow from the drawing board and to finally see it nearly complete is really something else. Everyone associated with the building, from the designers to the builders and the councillors who supported it financially deserve credit. 

“Their collective efforts have produced a magnificent building that would not be out of place in the private sector. That’s how good this building is.”

Once staff move in and the old leisure complex has been decommissioned, it will be bulldozed to provide a major new car park at the rear. Ahead of the opening, council officials plan to organise a series of visits to provide the public with a glimpse of the spectacular new 21st century leisure centre.