Make Broadmeadow an leisure hub and transfer Discussion board
THE Lakeland Discussion board ought to be knocked down and moved elsewhere is the decision of a distinguished Fermanagh enterprise determine.
Terry McCartney, who owns the Belmore Court docket & Motel in Enniskillen and can be a board member of Tourism NI, insists that by re-locating the leisure centre to a different a part of city, the Broadmeadow could possibly be re-vitalised into an “leisure hub”.
A brand new-look Discussion board has been earmarked for a revamp with the Council receiving a £20 million enhance final week from the UK Authorities to make this imaginative and prescient a actuality.
Nevertheless, Mr McCartney feels {that a} large probability might go a begging to not solely preserve a leisure facility for Enniskillen however to create an space of outlets and consuming spots that can have many flocking to the centre of city.
He mentioned: “Personally, and I’ve mentioned this earlier than to the Council, the realm ought to be used for eating places, cafes and little boutiques. Not for a leisure centre.
“That will generate extra enterprise for the city centre with the leisure centre being re-located.
“The leisure centre gained’t be out there for a minimum of two years with everybody lacking out on their swimming. They missed out on it for a yr and a half (because of the pandemic).
“Whereas I welcome any funding for Fermanagh, my concern could be that whereas the design for the brand new facility appears to be like good, it’s simply located within the incorrect place.”
As to the place the Discussion board ought to be, McCartney states that different such services elsewhere are outdoors of the centre and areas that serve the local people nicely.
He added: “I’ve used the services for a very long time they usually have been in want of an improve.
Terry McCartney: “We’ve a facility there within the Broadmeadow that’s completely improbable however
would it not be beautiful to have an leisure hub.”
“Nevertheless, each time we go to different cities and cities which have leisure centres, they are typically in additional community-based places. Usually in socially under-privileged areas with these services offering ease of entry and employment for these areas.
“They’re often in these areas fairly than being in a primary place in the midst of a city.
“Whenever you’re in a swimming pool, on the entire you might be there to swim – to not look out onto the frontage. That’s been an issue for fairly some time.”
One different chance could be to reflect what the town of Lisburn has with its Leisureplex facility that has a leisure centre, eating places, cinema and bowling alley all located within the one place with a close-by resort.
“We’ve a facility there within the Broadmeadow that’s completely improbable however would it not be beautiful to have an leisure hub,” continued McCartney. “You may nonetheless have your water-sports down there however a leisure centre by its nature is a monstrosity of a constructing due to all of the engineering works.
“Sadly, the Discussion board is located within the incorrect place. If the Council wish to assist tourism and enhance customer numbers, they want to have a look at a moist climate centre like Lisburn Leisureplex – one thing that’s going to encourage each the locals and folks from outdoors the realm to come back and keep.”
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Posted: 9:39 am February 1, 2023
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