The new £30 million Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex has been recognised in this year's Considerate Constructors Scheme awards.

Contractor Heron Bros won a Gold Award for its work on the project, recognising the firm's high levels of consideration in respect of the community, environment and workforce.

Throughout the project, Heron Bros engaged with the local community, encouraged local businesses to advertise their services on the site's noticeboards, and promoted careers in construction to colleges and schools.

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The County Down complex, which opened in January 2019, includes a six lane main pool and minor pool with moveable floors, a splash play area for toddlers and young children, an indoor soft play area, 110 station gym with three fitness studios, luxury spa and a unique Blacklight Adventure Zone which includes adventure golf, climbing walls and high ropes.

It also houses a 100-seat Parklands Café and a fully fitted gymnasium with courts for netball, basketball and racquet sports as well as a separate full sized covered all-weather playing field for team sports in the Dome area.

Outside, there is a Diversity Zone with sensory garden, a Pump Track for biking and Wheel Park for skateboarding, scooters, BMX and inline skating.

"This was a unique and complex project with a wide range of challenges throughout," said Contracts Manager, Theresa McErlean. "We're proud of how smoothly the construction process went and the high standards we achieved. The positive feedback and reaction to the new complex has also made it all worthwhile."

(CM/MH)