The new £15.5 million Down Leisure Centre has officially been opened in Downpatrick.

Contractor Felix O'Hare completed the project alongside architects Kennedy & Fitzgerald.

They delivered a new 6,105m² facility with three floors, replacing the town's previous two-floor 3,403m² building. Facilities include an 85 station Wellness Technogym with cutting edge technology, luxury Vitality Health Suite, spin studio, four-court sports hall and six-lane swimming pool and learner pool with moveable floor, which can be adjusted for different ages and abilities.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairman, Councillor Mark Murnin, cut the ribbon the centre on Thursday 22 November.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Councillor Murnin said: "I am thrilled to see Down Leisure Centre now complete and open to the public. This is an important strategic project for Council as it contributes towards both the economic and social development of our district.

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"The opening of the new leisure centre will help drive our Be Active campaign, the ethos of which is to promote better physical health and mental wellbeing. With people leading increasingly busy lives, we often forget to look after our own physical and mental health.

"The Council plays an important leadership role here and the new facilities are intended to reduce health inequalities by encouraging people to get active by enabling access to services, facilities and open spaces for all of our citizens, so that they can lead healthier and happier lives."

The project was completed under the council's Corporate Plan 2015-19, which made a commitment to improving the quality of life for all its citizens. Among its priorities were the replacement of the two existing leisure centres in Newry and Downpatrick.

Councillor Murnin continued: "Such facilities are important in the provision of sport and recreation, especially to young people who are just starting out in their sporting activities. Centres like Down Leisure Centre provide a gathering place around which social activities occur. They provide a sense of pride of place and belonging that can add value to community and indeed the entire district.

"The Council is committed that all people in Newry, Mourne and Down enjoy good health and wellbeing via the district's Community Plan and the 'Be Active' campaign is a superb way to help support this outcome. A healthy and active lifestyle contributes positively to physical, mental and social wellbeing and as an organisation we want to encourage all of our citizens to 'Be Active, Your Way, Every Day'."

(CM/MH)