Northern Ireland's latest public leisure facility in Craigavon is on track to open in late summer 2020.

The £35 million South Lake Leisure Centre is set to open its doors in August following a 32-month build programme.

One of the region's largest public leisure complexes, the new centre will feature a 50-metre pool, a young children's indoor leisure water feature, a 1,000m2 state-of-the-art gym, multiple studios, sensory room, eight-court sports halls, spin studio, soft play area and an on-site café.

The cutting-edge facility also incorporates an outdoor water sports provision offering a wide range of water based activities including windsurfing, water skiing and paddle sports.

This marks the largest capital project undertaken by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to date.

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Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Mealla Campbell, said: "With a confirmed opening date only six months away, I'm delighted that this stunning new centre which will have fabulous facilities for everyone in the borough to access and enjoy, is almost complete.

"South Lake Leisure Centre provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform and dramatically enhance the quality of health and leisure provision within the borough, providing community access for everyone to the best facilities available in the UK and Ireland."

Award-winning construction company Farrans has been spearheading the transformative build since initial enabling works got underway early in 2018, creating 500 jobs on site during construction as part of a project which has delivered at least £6.5 million in direct wages to the local economy.

As part of the preparations to pave the way for the official opening of South Lake Leisure Centre, interim arrangements have also been agreed for the planned phase-out of nearby leisure facilities in Portadown (Cascade Leisure Centre), Lurgan (Waves Leisure Complex) and Brownlow (Craigavon Leisure Centre).

These facilities, which are approaching the end of their functional life, will continue to remain open to the public until late June and into August to ensure a seamless transition and to accommodate staff training and orientation of the new centre.

(CM/MH)