The first steps in a £1.8 million investment to improve, enhance and redevelop Armagh’s ailing Orchard Leisure Centre will begin shortly.
An exact timeline for the scheme is not yet known.
However, some important issues will need to be addressed — not least whether or not the venue will have to close while the development takes place.
The Orchard Leisure Centre, at Folly Lane in Armagh, has been experiencing significant and well-publicised difficulties of late.
There have been complaints about the condition of the leisure centre and the facilities available to the public.
Related: Frustrated Armagh gym member hits out at sorry state of Orchard Leisure Centre
These have led to ongoing lobbying for a package of works to bring the Orchard Centre back up to an acceptable standard as a modern leisure and fitness facility.
The speed with which the project is advancing gives an indication of the urgency of putting such a package in place.
It was only in October last year that a business case was presented to ABC Council’s Community and Wellbeing Committee, and it was agreed to invest in the Orchard Leisure Centre.
A ‘capital project’ team is now in place, with support being provided by Williams and Shaw consultancy.
Council’s indoor leisure officers met with both recently, and it has now been confirmed that a “number of pre-works” will be starting shortly.
This will include a detailed asbestos check and updated drawings, which “will allow the procurement to progress”.
There is still “no defined timeline for these works”.
In a report to Monday’s Community and Wellbeing Committee, councillors were updated on the current state of play.
It reveals: “Depending upon a successful procurement exercise, Health and Recreation officers are awaiting information on whether it will be a full or partial closure of the centre.
“Officers are preparing for the worst-case scenario, which would be a full closure of the centre.”
To “limit disruption to customers”, consideration will now be given to redeploying employees, relocating the programme of activity, and possibly offering a substitute service in another location while the centre is disrupted.
The report adds: “Officers will engage with all stakeholders, including elected members, unions, employees, businesses, and regular bookings, along with customers.”
Officials will also need to consider issues surrounding memberships, and whether or not these should be ‘frozen’ for the duration of the works.
There is, the committee has been told, the potential for a “loss of memberships and income”.
A communications plan will also need to be established to keep people fully informed at each stage of proceedings.
In terms of financial considerations, the Orchard Leisure Centre plans would involve capital works to the tune of £1.8 million.
The impact on council income is, at present, unknown.
However, as part of the planned changes, councillors have been informed that a more energy-efficient heating system is to be installed, which should save money in the long term.
