Significant progress has been made on the new leisure and community heath hub at the Gortgonis Leisure Complex in Coalisland as the existing complex is due to close at the end of this month.

The closure of the current facilities will allow work to begin on dismantling the buildings to make way for a new Gaelscoil, which will be built by the Education Authority on the site.

The existing centre, including Gortgonis Gym, the changing pavilions and the play park, will close to the public on August 31. However, the track and pitch will remain informally accessible during this phase. Existing Gortgonis Gym memberships will be valid at other Council leisure facilities, including those in Dungannon, Cookstown and Moneymore.

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Concept designs are being developed for the main works, which will include the construction of a new building housing a gym, community hall, changing facilities and community meeting rooms.

Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Eugene McConnell said: "The Council has been working tirelessly to bring this much needed project to fruition and our commitment to enhancing the health and well-being opportunities in our district continues unabated. This progress is hugely welcome and significant given Coalisland’s designation as a Neighbourhood Renewal Area and the potential these facilities have for improving the lives of local people."

Work is expected to commence on the ground at Gortgonis will start before the summer of next year. A meeting will be held later this month at the Cornmill Centre where concept designs will be on display and will be open to members of the public and all interested stakeholders.