£500,000 investment announced for Newtownabbey leisure centre

by Gráinne Connolly

Valley Leisure Centre in Newtownabbey is to benefit from a £500,000 investment to upgrade and modernise it's existing health facilities.

The project includes the replacement of it's jacuzzi, steam room and sauna with the addition of new ventilation, heated loungers and a monsoon shower.

The work's due to begin early spring and will be finished towards the end of spring/early summer 2019.

Councillor Paul Michael, the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey says, “I am delighted the Council is once again investing in the Borough’s leisure facilities.

"This is part of our ongoing commitment to improve the sporting facilities available to our residents as well as their health and wellbeing.

"It is approaching a year and a half on from the launch of our MORE leisure membership and I think it is fantastic that we are ensuring our facilities are state-of-the-art for our residents to enjoy.”

The health suite renovation is part of ongoing investment in the Council’s leisure facilities.

The 3G soccer pitches at the Valley Leisure Centre recently received an impressive £120,000 investment in the resurfacing and redesign of the pitches, including two 5-a-side pitches being merged into one 7-a-side pitch and are due to be officially opened in the upcoming weeks.

The reception areas at Antrim Forum, Sixmile and the Valley will also be undergoing a modernisation and facelift costing in the region of £400,000.

This includes the installation of new self-service kiosks and other technologies which will improve the customer journey, offering fast access and reducing queuing times.

To further enhance accessibility, Antrim Forum and the Valley Leisure Centre will also benefit from a new Changing Places changing facility which will provide additional equipment such as adult-sized changing benches and hoists for those users with complex needs.

This much needed addition will improve the service provision at the leisure centres at an investment of £150,000.

There are also plans to refurbish and extend the fitness suite at Sixmile Leisure Centre.

The £525,000 investment will significantly increase the current floor space, provide new state of the art fitness equipment, and includes replacement of air conditioning and ventilation.

Work is due to commence in spring and be completed in early summer. Provision of the fitness suite will be relocated to the main hall in the leisure centre while works take place.