Walter Watson Limited has begun steelwork on the new £35 million leisure centre in Craigavon.

The Co Down structural steel fabricator is currently on site erecting the steel, with the dry-side part of the steel structure due to finish in November and the wet-side due to be completed next year.

The steelwork follows the completion of piling works from Tandragee-based concrete and piling company Taranto. Over 1,000 concrete driven piles were installed into the ground, ready to support the 650 tonnes of structural steel that will form the new construction.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Julie Flaherty said: "This is an exciting time as construction gets off the ground and we start to see what the new centre will look like! You can really get a feel for the scale of this incredible development now.

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"I am so proud to be Lord Mayor witnessing this momentous project taking shape, knowing that it will be the pride of the borough, making this area the destination of choice for locals and visitors alike for generations to come."

The new facility, which is being built adjacent to Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre, features an eight-lane, 50-metre swimming pool, a teaching pool, fun pool and a spectator gallery.

Once complete, the new gym will be the largest available on the island of Ireland, featuring state-of-the-art equipment, spin and dance studios. It will also include an extensive health and beauty suite, activity rooms, squash courts and a large sports hall suitable for a variety of sporting activities, as well an extensive outdoor watersports provision.

Farrans are the lead contractor on the project, procured via public procurement specialist Scape's National Major Works framework. Scape's collaborative ethos involves engaging with approved local businesses, sub-contractors and suppliers, meaning that the Craigavon project will provide significant employment opportunities for local residents and businesses.

Earlier this year it was announced that the construction phase would create more than 500 jobs, delivering an estimated £6.5 million in direct wages to the economy.

Plans for the new leisure complex are part of a wider and ambitious regeneration programme across the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon area.

The new centre is due to open in summer 2020.

(CM)