A Co Fermanagh recreational centre for disabled people may be facing costs of £500,000 to repair damages caused by floods in November.

Certain sections of the Share Centre in Lisnaskea, including a swimming pool and a gym, will not reopen until next September due to the damage.

According to Chief Executive, Oliver Wilson, the closure would affect 250 people in the local community.

The building also housed a learning centre for people with special needs, including a classroom and an I.T suite. Although it has been offered space in another part of the centre, much of its equipment has been damaged beyond repair.

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"The whole area was under water for over 10 days, which has meant that the building has expanded," said General Manager, Robert Livingstone.

"We are already witnessing signs of the damage as the building contracts, now that the water has drained, with cracks appearing throughout the building and tiles coming off the walls and swimming pool surface.

"My main worry was if we had a widespread frost, there could have been substantial structural damage to the bricks resulting in a complete rebuild. We will be looking into flood defence systems to ensure this does not affect us to the same extent again."

(NS/KMcA)