A series of public information sessions will be held later this month to update residents and centre users about future plans for Olympia Leisure Centre.

The public are welcome to go to the Centre on Wednesday 23 September, from 8.15pm to 9pm. Those wishing to attend can register via [email protected] or by calling 028 9027 0333.

Separate sessions have also been organised for businesses and other groups, including community organisations, on Thursday 19 September, at 8am and 12.30pm (in the Community Centre, next door to the leisure facility) respectively.

The meetings will outline progress since the last round of consultation, when most respondents indicated they would like to see a new leisure facility as part of the stadium planned for Windsor Park.

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Following the feedback, the council has had initial drawings completed, based on building a modern, multi-purpose leisure centre at the stadium's west stand.

The public meetings will give people the chance to view the concept designs and hear what the next steps are. The drawings will also be on display inside the centre until the end of September.

"The work at Windsor Park provides an once-in-a-lifetime chance to improve and develop Olympia Leisure Centre and the land around it," explained Alderman Gavin Robinson, Chair of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

"There will be wider economic benefits for the surrounding community, and the city as a whole, as well as work to make the area around the stadium a safe and welcoming place for everyone to enjoy.

"Many of our leisure centres are also getting older and we’re already making plans to improve them, as part of a wider investment into health and wellbeing facilities, right across the city, so this work at Olympia – which is additional to our previously announced £150 million Investment Programme for the city – is very timely."

Under the plans, the site where Olympia Leisure Centre is currently located will be redeveloped into an open, attractive space, and form part of the stadium entrance.

(CD/JP)