A new £22 million Wellbeing Centre, the first in Northern Ireland to offer, health, leisure and library facilities under one roof, is opening its doors to the public today.

The new centre is a partnership between Belfast City Council, Belfast Health Trust and Belfast Education and Library Board and represents the biggest single investment in physical infrastructure by the council since the opening of the Waterfront Hall.

Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Jim Rodgers, who was shown round the Wellbeing Centre ahead of its opening said: "This is the first centre of its kind in Northern Ireland offering three different services, health, leisure and libraries under one roof.

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"It represents a major investment in one of the most deprived areas of the city, and provides the people of that area with a facility worthy of the 21st century. It is a template for future services in Northern Ireland highlighting what can be done by joined up government.

"We are looking forward to the people of North Belfast enjoying the major improvement this Wellbeing centre represents for them and for all the people of Belfast."

The centre will be home to eight GP's, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, facilities for older people, a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness suite, and soft play area, and café, access to the internet, books, CD and DVD borrowing.

Anne Diamond from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said: "We are delighted that we will now be providing a range of local health and social care services under one roof, from this modern and convenient location at the heart the lower north Belfast community.

"The new multi million pound state-of-the-art Grove Centre offers a unique opportunity to provide health and social care services alongside leisure and library services. Patients and clients will be able to draw on the benefits of all three services in ways which have not previously been possible.

(JM)