£37m state-of-the-art leisure centre opens in Co Armagh boasting biggest gym and swim facility in Ireland

South Lake Leisure Centre
Author: Nigel GouldPublished 2nd Nov 2020
Last updated 2nd Nov 2020

Northern Ireland’s newest leisure centre has opened in Craigavon.

The South Lake Leisure Centre boasts the biggest gym and swim facility in Ireland.

The facility includes a 50-metre, eight-lane swimming pool and 1,000meter squared gym will be accessible seven days a week, and in line with current covid health guidelines.

The health, fitness and wellbeing investment, which claims to be the largest in NI or the Republic, comes from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, as the body attempts to meet the demands of a growing population locally.

South Lake Leisure Centre

Construction of the £37m project got underway early in 2018, creating 500 jobs on site during construction.

Now, the finished product overlooks Craigavon lakes, and features a multi-court sports hall, squash courts, a dedicated group cycle studio, dance studio, a health and wellbeing suite and an on-site café in a cutting-edge building specifically designed for people with disabilities providing accessibility for all users.

South Lake Leisure Centre

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Cllr Kevin Savage, said: “This spectacular multi-use leisure facility represents a hugely important transformational investment in the future of our people’s fitness, health and mental wellbeing that is needed more than ever now in these current challenging times and also going forward for generations to come.

“First envisaged a decade ago, I’m delighted that this impressive community facility is now safely open for everyone to enjoy in line with public health guidelines.”