Plans to develop a state- of-the-art environmentally sustainable Leisure Centre in Enniskillen have been kicked down the road once again by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC).
Planning approval for the Passivhaus design on the site of the existing Lakeland Forum centre, first opened back in 1976, was granted on September 20, 2023. The redevelopment appeared a step closer last August when GRAHAM, was appointed by FODC as the contractor to finalise the design.
GRAHAM stated at the time: “The final design will form part of the Full Business Case for the project, which will be considered by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council later this year, when a decision on the investment for the proposed project to move to construction stage will be made.”
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The Lakeland Forum was set to close in December with all members and staff alerted as the council confirmed to local media outlets that the business case for the future development would be presented to FODC on December 16.
However, new signs were erected at the Forum in recent weeks stating that, “if approved, the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum will potentially close in February 2025.”
When asked by Belfast Live for an update on the business case and financial commitment to the project following the delay, FODC stated: “It is anticipated the Council will decide on the investment for the proposed redevelopment early 2025.
“The Council acknowledges the Forum’s importance to many people. The aim of the proposed redevelopment is to ensure that the very best facilities are available to all.”
Concern over the plans have been growing locally and last year it was estimated the project would cost in the region of £52million.
In October, local councillor Mark Ovens pointed out that, despite the £20million allocation from the Levelling Up Fund, the Lakeland Forum project would still cost the council “tens of millions of pounds”.
Impressions of how the redeveloped Fermanagh Lakeland Forum will look
FODC has been asked for an updated timeline on the decision and if the final cost of a rebuild was yet known. GRAHAM has also been approached for comment on the delay.
In December, the council told the Fermanagh Herald that the Passivhaus environmental standard development would not include a sauna or steam room, which is popular with members in the exisiting Forum.
Passivhaus design is an international energy performance standard for buildings, which aims to reduce the requirement for heating and cooling.
While over 30,000 buildings globally follow the standards, the Forum will be the first leisure centre of its type in Ireland.
The redevelopment plans also feature cutting edge sports amenities including a new eight-lane swimming pool, separate learner pool and splash pad area for young children and gym facilities.
It also includes versatile community and multi-purpose spaces for health partners and others with dedicated areas for health and wellness activities.
Outdoors, the proposal includes a destination play-park and urban sports park; a replacement 3G sports pitch; new walkways and trails and the development of an active waterfront area and improved pedestrian linkages to Enniskillen town centre.
The proposal received unanimous support from the district planning committee and was awarded £20million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
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