Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has welcomed the public to share their views on the plans for a new leisure, health and wellbeing centre based at the St Patrick's Regeneration site on 7 March.

The public consultation day will be held at Seven Towers Leisure Centre in Ballymena from 12 noon to 7.00pm. The proposals for the leisure facility also will remain on public exhibition at the Seven Towers Leisure Centre from 8 March 2024 until 10 April 2024.

Four acres of land has been secured at the St Patrick's site for this project which will focus on the needs of families and children. There will be a safe and fun 'Clip n Climb' space, which will provide an indoor adventure area with various obstacles and walls to climb for children with a ranges of ability. Plus, a Soft Play facility available for children of all ages, with a separate play space for parents and toddlers and facilities for accommodating children’s parties.

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Inside the pool hall, there's a kids' zone featuring a splash pool area with fun elements, including an aqua play section. Additionally, there's a learner pool where children can gain confidence and learn to swim, with a viewing area for parents. The main pool, measuring 25 meters with 8 lanes and an adjustable floor, accommodates children too. Its shallow depth facilitates an aqua challenge course for children during specific sessions.

Also included is a pool viewing gallery, 4 court sports hall, café, gym, spin studios, community hub, spa facility and much more.

The new three-story facility will include on-site car parking equipped with EV charging points, bus parking, a drop-off area, external exercise space, and a sensory garden featuring a clocktower. The clocktower will be built using bricks salvaged from the demolition of the Barracks, serving as a tribute to the site's previous use.

Led by the Department for Communities, works have commenced on the St Patrick's Regeneration project as the link road, which will provide access to the site, is open to traffic. Radius Housing is progressing at pace with their new development at St Patrick's which will see construction of 135 mixed tenure residential properties providing shared housing for all. Northern Regional College also continues to make impressive progress with their new campus at Farm Lodge.

Council is working with these key partners and others to deliver a high quality, mixed-use development at St Patrick's. In addition to the leisure, health and wellbeing centre, Council are also developing proposals for the i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre; an office building and a ‘Community Connections’ project.