Aerial view of the proposed leisure, health and wellbeing centre building, within the wider context of the St Patrick's Regeneration site in Ballymena
Ballymena’s long-awaited new Leisure, Health and Wellbeing Centre is another step closer after a planning application for the new facility was submitted in recent days by Mid & East Antrim Borough Council (MEABC).
Set to be built on 1.7 hectares of land at the St Patrick's Regeneration site in the town the facility will eventually replace the Seven Towers Leisure Centre. Building works for the Seven Towers facility commenced in 1969 and it was formally opened to the public in June 1971.
View looking from Demesne Avenue
Now 53 years later, the current leisure centre is no longer fit-for-purpose with the building and facilities tired and in much need of upgrade.
Following an extensive public consultation undertaken in recent months, the planning application designs reveal the new state of the art leisure, health and wellbeing centre comprises an eight-lane swimming pool, learner pool, four court sports hall, café, gym, spin studios, clip and climb, community hub, soft play area and spa facility for all members of the community to enjoy.
The proposed building includes 7,893m2 gross internal floorspace across three storeys.
GROUND FLOOR
Ballymena Leisure, Health and Wellbeing Centre ground floor plan
Entering the Ballymena Leisure, Health and Wellbeing Centre users will find themselves in the double height lobby space, with a reception area and café.
The ground floor includes:
• Double height four court sports hall
Ground floor sports hall
According to the consultation report there was limited demand for squash courts when the facilities mix was developed following public consultation in 2019. As such, MEABC has not been determined as a priority within the current facilities mix and budget.
In recent years however, a local squash club has been formed in Ballymena and members have been voicing support for the inclusion of squash courts in the new facility.
The main hall includes four badminton courts. Pickle ball/paddle tennis nets will also be provided (to use badminton line markings). Table tennis tables will also be provided.
Precedent image of Clip n' Climb
• Clip 'n' climb
The Clip 'n Climb will provide for different difficulties, not just children.
• Soft play area
• Toilet and dry changing facilities, including disabled provision
FIRST FLOOR
Ballymena Leisure, Health and Wellbeing Centre first floor plan
• Main swimming pool - 25 metres long with 8 lanes and moveable floor
During the consultation a number of responses suggested including a larger Olympic size pool of 50m, however this was not implemented due to the limited size of the site.
The proposed main pool represents an improvement on the existing Seven Towers Leisure Centre. The new pool will have two additional lanes and Council have taken onboard suggestions from Swim Ulster to include high-tech competition fixtures (electronic timing pads, associated timing controls, starting blocks and lane breakers).
The movable floor within the main pool can drop to give a clear 2m deep pool.
Internal view of main pool looking towards viewing gallery
Water polo sockets for the nets, protection net and infrastructure for the shot clocks have also be allowed for. Therefore water polo can be accommodated within the main pool.
Slides were considered at feasibility stage, however, these were not progressed due to construction and running cost. However, provision will be made for both children and families with pool inflatables.
Pool inflatables will be programmed around swimming helping to sustain demand.
• Learner swimming pool - 12 metres by 10 metres
The learner pool has moveable floor so can cater for infant classes or other age brackets when required. A plunge pool was considered but has been rule out of the proposed facilities mix. The moveable floor also allows facility management to change pool depth between classes.
• A splash pool is being provided in pool hall
Concept view of a Splash Pool - to be developed.
The proposed splash pool and aqua play area will include a range of water toys, wet climbing features and water cannons.
• Changing village
• A spa area with dedicated changing facilities. The spa area will include a vitality pool, ice room, treatment rooms, a samarium, and herbal suite.
The vitality pool, also referred to as a spa pool or hydrotherapy (hydro) pool, is similar to a hot tub or Jacuzzi but larger in size - but smaller than a swimming pool. The jets and other water features make it useful for rehabilitation as well as being used as treatment for several debilitating illnesses / conditions.
Internal aspect of the spa area and vitality pool
The vitality pool is a same temperature as a hydrotherapy pool and MEABC considered a vitality pool a better fit for this centre.
• Spin studio
• Multi-purpose 'Community Hub' room
The Community Hub is a multipurpose space which will serve a wide range of needs, activities and sports. It is envisioned that the Community Hub will be accessible during leisure centre opening hours.
SECOND FLOOR
Ballymena Leisure, Health and Wellbeing Centre second floor plan
• Gym and fitness suite
The new gym will provide better facilities than existing leisure centre gym, this will be more competitive than existing private gym provision across the Borough which is excepted to increase user numbers.
Final gym design has not been confirmed, however, the weights / cardio ratio aligns with the trend for new gym facilities across the UK&l in recent years.
Fitness suite will include a separate zones for cardio as well as functional, strength and resistance training.
3D plan view of fitness suite
Aspect from fitness suite, out to the Ecos Park
• A pool hall viewing gallery
The sports hall, community hub and fitness studio can be used for gymnastics.
The proposal includes a new outdoor exercise area. This area will be further developed with specialist input during detailed design stage.
EXTERNAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS
A newly proposed T-junction will serve as the main vehicle entry from the extended Demesne Avenue, situated along the northern edge of the site under development. The parking layout is designed to accommodate:
- 201 standard parking spaces, with 10 of these equipped for electric vehicle (EV) charging.
- 16 parking spaces for the disabled, where two also support EV charging.
Additionally, the site will feature:
- Two bus parking slots alongside a designated bus drop-off area.
View of external exercise area and covered walkway
For cyclists, 25 cycle stands will be installed, effectively offering parking for 50 bicycles.
The architectural plans include a curved, sheltered walkway running along the western side of the building, enhancing pedestrian access from the parking areas. Furthermore, an outdoor exercise area is planned, suitable for activities like yoga and Pilates.
DESIGN EMPHASISING ACCESSIBILITY
The new building's design prioritises accessibility, featuring no level changes throughout, which significantly benefits wheelchair users, the elderly, and others by providing ease of movement, unlike the existing Seven Towers. The transition from the disabled parking spaces to the building's entrance will be seamless, without any steep inclines or steps.
- Door Accessibility: All primary circulation doors are equipped with automatic opening panels, allowing individuals in wheelchairs to navigate the building independently.
- Vitality Pool: A disability-friendly vitality pool (also known as a spa or hydrotherapy pool) will be available. This pool, larger than a hot tub but smaller than a standard swimming pool, is set at the temperature of a hydrotherapy pool. It features jets and water functionalities beneficial for rehabilitation and treatment of various health conditions.
- Enhanced Pool Features: Both pools will be equipped with a pool pod for easy access, alongside an ambient access ensuring that everyone can enjoy the water facilities comfortably.
- Inclusive Changing Facilities: The design includes accessible changing cubicles in both the village change area and near the dry changing facilities. There are also inclusive changing benches and showers in the dry change areas, providing various options for users. Baby changing stations are integrated into all family cubicles within the village change, ensuring convenience for families.
ENHANCEMENTS IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT CONNECTIVITY
Funds have already been earmarked for enhancements to public transport connections across the St Patricks Barracks Site, including the new Ballymena Leisure, Health and Wellbeing Centre.
This funding aims to establish and sustain a new community transport service tailored for this location. Currently, there are ongoing talks with Translink to explore the introduction of this service.
Efforts are underway to determine how public transportation will serve the site. The regeneration project for St Patricks will include a bus link connecting to the town centre, with the exact placement of bus stops still to be finalised.
As development continues, MEABC will maintain close collaboration with the Department of Infrastructure (Dfl) and Translink to devise an effective transport strategy for the entire site.
The wider St Patrick’s Regeneration Site includes new social housing, a news campus for Northern Regional College as well as sites earmarked for the i4C Cleantech Innovation Centre, a news police station, a new hotel, and of course the new leisure, health and wellbeing centre.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council are actively seeking funding for the new community facility. The project proposal confirms that the Seven Towers Leisure Centre will remain operational until the proposed development is open to the public, but will eventually be demolished.