Contractors O'Hare and McGovern have started construction work on the new Olympia Centre in south Belfast.

The new facility, which forms part of a £19 million sporting and community hub, will be built at the West Stand of the redeveloped Windsor Park.

In association with the Irish Football Association, it will be run by GLL, the Council's new operating partner for leisure. Future development will include new pitches, a new play space and commercial development opportunities, all accessed by a new boulevard from Boucher Road.

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.

-- Advertisement --

"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."

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) is contributing £2.75m to the construction of the new leisure centre, as part of their overall funding element of £31m for the Windsor Park re-development. This brings the total investment at Olympia to £21.75m.

(CD/MH)