Leisure pool makes a splash

Local residents enjoying the refurbished Leisure Pool.

Ahead of Monday’s official opening of the entire, newly refurbished, Lagan Valley Leisureplex, a number of local children got to check out the Leisure Pool and by all accounts it got an emphatic thumbs-up.

Dame Mary Peters, who attended the original Leisureplex opening in 2000, was on hand again for this week’s re-opening, joining Lisburn City Council Leisure Services Committee chairman, Alderman Paul Porter, in doing the honours.

Said Mr Porter: “It is excellent to see the new-look LeisurePlex being enjoyed by our customers. Some local children had the opportunity to enjoy a session in the Leisure Pool before it opened to the general public and the new ‘Aqualan’ interactive water soft play area was thoroughly enjoyed.

“It was a pleasure to open the facility alongside Dame Mary, who was present when the building was originally opened in 2000.

“Lisburn City Council was very keen to address access issues to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit for all customers and to improve customer satisfaction in key areas.

“These included the main reception area, the Leisure Pool, the changing rooms - to create additional family sized changing cubicles - and the Gym.”

The opening marked the completion of a £3.4m capital investment in a facility which attracts more than a million visitors a year and the refurbishment is expected to allow the LeisurePlex to build on its success.

While the Leisure Pool was out of action during the works the Leisureplex itself remained open throughout and the council commended the contractors and Leisure Centre staff for ensuring the 1,200 gym members and the 4,000 young people who took weekly swimming lessons could enjoy continued use of the facilities over the six-month contract period.

Alderman Porter added: “I am very proud that one of my last engagements as Chairman of the Leisure Services Committee was to open this newly refurbished facility.

“I firmly believe it will confirm the new Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council as the number one council in Northern Ireland for outstanding leisure provision.”