Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council unanimously agreed to transform leisure services in-house last night (Monday).
With the brand new £35m South Lake Leisure Centre construction due to complete on schedule in summer 2020, elected representatives reviewed a number of options on how the new facility would be managed.
This review was undertaken to ensure that ABC Council’s largest capital investment project undertaken to date would be placed within the most appropriate structures to ensure its long-term sustainability, provide full value for money for ratepayers and maximise the potential of this flagship public resource.
The options included in-house transformation, creating a Council-owned company fully answerable to elected representatives and ratepayers, or appointing an established leisure operator to run the facility.
It was agreed that Council would continue deliver leisure services directly by owning, operating and maintaining the assets, and employing all staff.
Under the plan agreed, Council will be fully responsible for the efficient operation and growth of the exciting new development and in its future.
