Information sessions to preview Strabane Strategic leisure project
12 June 2024
Derry City and Strabane District Council is embarking on an extensive engagement process with the public and user groups about the proposed redevelopment of the Riversdale Leisure Centre.
Derry City and Strabane District Council is embarking on an extensive engagement process with the public and user groups about the proposed redevelopment of the Riversdale Leisure Centre.
This significant investment in leisure will be funded by the Council and forms an integral component of Council’s wider vision for the strategic development and regeneration of Strabane Town Centre, which is planned and funded through the City Deal/Inclusive Future Fund.
Council identified that there was a need to redevelop the Riversdale Leisure Centre as the current facility is ageing and in need of replacement. It embarked on looking for a new site and commenced a comprehensive site selection process and an in-depth analysis of need to assist with developing initial proposals for new leisure facilities which will turn form part of the wider co-location of key public services in the town centre canal basin area.
Back in September 2017 Council appointed a multi-disciplinary team to take forward plans for the redevelopment of the Riversdale Leisure Centre that included an extensive consultation, design, business case development, planning and project management. However, due to the pandemic in 2020 the project was temporarily put on hold. As part of the recent 2024/25 Rates Process, elected members gave their approval of funding to progress with the project design phase of the project. To take the project further the Council is now re-engaging with public and the sports community to ensure the project meets the current needs of the local sports fraternity.
A series of engagement events have been scheduled to take place next week aimed at providing all interested parties with an opportunity to get an overview of the project to date and provide them with information relating to the proposed location, the facilities, and services to be provided. The feedback from these engagement sessions will help inform the project move through to the next stage. In addition to the public information sessions, updates have been provided for elected members, staff, and key stakeholders.
The public information sessions are being held as follows :-
Wednesday 19 June
- 10am to 12noon at the Riversdale Leisure Centre
- 2pm to 4pm at Melvin Sports Complex
- 6pm - 9pm at the Alley Theatre
Thursday 20 June
- 10 am to 12 noon at the Riversale Leisure Centre
- 2pm to 4pm at Melvin Sports Complex
- 6pm to 9pm at the Alley Theatre.
Drawings and outline designs and images will be available at the information sessions and Council officers will be in attendance to answer questions.
For those who cannot attend the information sessions, an online questionnaire that is available through the Council’s Have Your Say online portal at - www.derrystrabane.com/consultations
The online questionnaire will be available from Tuesday 18 June at 12 noon. The survey will be available over the summer months until the end of August to allow everyone to give their feedback.
Encouraging everyone to get involved, Barry O’Hagan, Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Head of Community Development and Leisure said that it’s important that all user groups and the local community in Strabane get actively involved in this exciting regeneration leisure project.
He said: “This new strategic leisure facility for Strabane has been identified as a priority in both Council’s Strategic Growth Plan and the Local Growth Plan. It is an integral component of Council’s wider vision for the strategic development and regeneration of Strabane Town Centre that is planned through City Deal. The new facility in this location will make it more accessible to the local community as it is within walking distance from most areas of the town and adjacent to our greenway infrastructure and within walking distance to the existing bus station and the new Riverine project.
“There will be a very strong focus on sustainability and physical activity with enhanced wet side and dry side facilities. Climate Change mitigation and sustainability are key considerations in this project, with a focus towards net-zero design principles to align with Council’s Climate Pledge. The proposed swimming pool will have increased water capacity with a viewing gallery and a significantly larger training pool. It is anticipated that this state-of-the-art facility will be form part of a wider health hub offering a range of physical activities to improve the health and wellbeing of the local community. In addition to talking to our local sports clubs and user groups, we are hoping to get as much feedback as possible from the wider public.”
Barry O Hagan added that the next steps will involve Council developing designs proposals over the coming months, at which point a further consultation will be undertaken prior to submission to planning.