Work has been completed on a new leisure centre in Craigavon.

The new South Lake Leisure Centre is home to a new 50-metre, eight-lane swimming pool and 1,000m2 gym and is now open seven days a week on a pre-booking basis for the public.

As one of the most significant recent investments in health, fitness and wellbeing in Northern Ireland, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council have opened the facility, with a future-proofed model to meet the needs of a growing population and increased demand for a range of leisure, amateur and professional sporting enthusiasts regionally.

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However, as some restrictions on the use of the facility are in place in line with public health guidelines, advanced booking is required to safely access the gym and to enjoy lane swimming in the pool at this time. All other facilities will remain closed temporarily and until coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Cllr Kevin Savage, said: "This spectacular multi-use leisure facility represents a hugely important transformational investment in the future of our people's fitness, health and mental wellbeing that is needed more than ever now in these current challenging times and also going forward for generations to come.

"First envisaged a decade ago, I'm delighted that this impressive community facility is now safely open for everyone to enjoy in line with public health guidelines."

Construction of the multi-million-pound transformative build project got underway early in 2018, creating 500 jobs on site during construction. Additional employment opportunities have also been created in a range of areas.