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21/01/2015
Construction Begins At Olympia Centre
Work has started on the site which will form part of the new Olympia Leisure Centre in Belfast.
Part of the £19m sports and community hub in south Belfast, contractors have started construction on a new facility at the West Stand of the redeveloped Windsor Park in the area, in association with the Irish Football Association. O'Hare and McGovern are the appointed contractors for the build. The facility will be run by GLL.
In addition, future development will include new pitches, a new play space and commercial development opportunities, all accessed by a new boulevard from Boucher Road.
The project is part of a wider £105m Belfast City Council Investment in Leisure Transformation throughout the city.
Welcoming the start of works, Councillor Lee Reynolds, Belfast City Council's Chair of Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said: "This is an exciting step in our Leisure Transformation Programme. It will provide the highest quality leisure services at the best value for money with the beginning of construction for the new Olympia Leisure Centre.
"It is an important move for the city – not just for the fantastic modern facilities it will provide but also for the opportunities available in terms of training and employment.
"Under our Investment Programme commitment social clauses are written into all contracts like this. We are organising activities to promote job and training opportunities for the unemployed, apprentices and students, and also supply chain opportunities arising from a range of upcoming council contracts.
"It is a wonderful example of partnership working for the benefit of communities across Belfast."
Cynthia Smith, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) Acting Permanent Secretary, added: "The entire Windsor Park development is about more than football; it is about integrating the entire community into something which is new and exciting and which will be of significant benefit for the whole area.
"The new facility will be a tremendous boost for the social, leisure and economic wellbeing of those from the local community and indeed much farther afield."
DCAL is contributing £2.75m to the construction of the new leisure centre, as part of their overall £31m funding for the Windsor Park re-development. The total investment at Olympia is £21.75m. It is anticipated that the leisure centre will be completed by late 2016, with work on the entire site scheduled to be finished by 2017.
(JP)
Part of the £19m sports and community hub in south Belfast, contractors have started construction on a new facility at the West Stand of the redeveloped Windsor Park in the area, in association with the Irish Football Association. O'Hare and McGovern are the appointed contractors for the build. The facility will be run by GLL.
In addition, future development will include new pitches, a new play space and commercial development opportunities, all accessed by a new boulevard from Boucher Road.
The project is part of a wider £105m Belfast City Council Investment in Leisure Transformation throughout the city.
Welcoming the start of works, Councillor Lee Reynolds, Belfast City Council's Chair of Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said: "This is an exciting step in our Leisure Transformation Programme. It will provide the highest quality leisure services at the best value for money with the beginning of construction for the new Olympia Leisure Centre.
"It is an important move for the city – not just for the fantastic modern facilities it will provide but also for the opportunities available in terms of training and employment.
"Under our Investment Programme commitment social clauses are written into all contracts like this. We are organising activities to promote job and training opportunities for the unemployed, apprentices and students, and also supply chain opportunities arising from a range of upcoming council contracts.
"It is a wonderful example of partnership working for the benefit of communities across Belfast."
Cynthia Smith, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) Acting Permanent Secretary, added: "The entire Windsor Park development is about more than football; it is about integrating the entire community into something which is new and exciting and which will be of significant benefit for the whole area.
"The new facility will be a tremendous boost for the social, leisure and economic wellbeing of those from the local community and indeed much farther afield."
DCAL is contributing £2.75m to the construction of the new leisure centre, as part of their overall £31m funding for the Windsor Park re-development. The total investment at Olympia is £21.75m. It is anticipated that the leisure centre will be completed by late 2016, with work on the entire site scheduled to be finished by 2017.
(JP)
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Management firm Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) is planning to close the pool in Shankill Leisure Centre in Belfast, according to Unite the union. Unite Regional Officer, Michael Keenan, has called on Belfast City Council to put an end to threats hanging over pools at both the Shankill and Ballysillan Leisure Centres.
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Management firm Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) is planning to close the pool in Shankill Leisure Centre in Belfast, according to Unite the union. Unite Regional Officer, Michael Keenan, has called on Belfast City Council to put an end to threats hanging over pools at both the Shankill and Ballysillan Leisure Centres.
16 September 2016
Consultations Announced For Belfast Leisure Centre Redevelopment Plans
Consultation events have been announced by Belfast City Council on proposed designs for a number of leisure centre transformations across Belfast. The council is to invest £105 million in a Leisure Transformation Programme (LTP), to be developed over the next 10 years.
Consultations Announced For Belfast Leisure Centre Redevelopment Plans
Consultation events have been announced by Belfast City Council on proposed designs for a number of leisure centre transformations across Belfast. The council is to invest £105 million in a Leisure Transformation Programme (LTP), to be developed over the next 10 years.
07 August 2019
Three New Leisure Centres To Open In Belfast
A number of senior appointments have been made as preparations continue for the opening of three new council funded leisure centres in Belfast. The Brook, Andersonstown and Lisnasharragh Leisure Centres will open under the 'Better' brand name early next year, expanding the provision of social enterprise GLL across the city.
Three New Leisure Centres To Open In Belfast
A number of senior appointments have been made as preparations continue for the opening of three new council funded leisure centres in Belfast. The Brook, Andersonstown and Lisnasharragh Leisure Centres will open under the 'Better' brand name early next year, expanding the provision of social enterprise GLL across the city.
06 March 2018
Work Continues On New Boulevard In Belfast
Construction work is continuing on a new boulevard in Belfast. The road will lead from the Boucher Road to the newly refurbished Olympia Leisure Centre and is part of the £21.75million being invested in the project. Belfast City Council is also urging the public to suggest a new name for the boulevard which is due to open at the end of May.
Work Continues On New Boulevard In Belfast
Construction work is continuing on a new boulevard in Belfast. The road will lead from the Boucher Road to the newly refurbished Olympia Leisure Centre and is part of the £21.75million being invested in the project. Belfast City Council is also urging the public to suggest a new name for the boulevard which is due to open at the end of May.
19 July 2023
Better Leisure Centres To Host Weekend Of Free Family Events
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Better Leisure Centres To Host Weekend Of Free Family Events
Belfast's Better leisure centres are set to host a series of free family activities to mark 30 years of GLL. Founded in 1993, GLL is the UK's largest public leisure and libraries co-operative and charitable social enterprise.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
