Public Consultation on the Naming of Ards and North Down Borough Council's replacement Leisure Complex in Newtownards

Overview

As part of its continuing commitment to provide high quality leisure facilities throughout the Borough for residents and visitors alike, Ards and North Down Borough Council agreed to build a replacement leisure Complex in Newtownards.  Work began on the site at Dairy Hall playing fields in February 2017, and it is anticipated that the replacement Complex will be completed and ready to open in December 2018.

The replacement leisure Complex, which represents an investment of more than £30M showcases the Council’s commitment to improved health and wellbeing within the Borough.  The facility will offer a wide range of sports, recreation and family leisure facilities including the following:

• 6 lane gala pool
• 20m teaching pool (both pools have moveable floors)
• water splash play and paddling pool
• high quality spa area with vitality pool/chill pool sauna/steam rooms and treatment rooms
• 6 court sports hall
• independent outdoor covered sports pitch
• multi-purpose meeting and activity room
• dance, cycle/ spin studios
• fitness suite
• café area
• party rooms
• indoor flexible space for adventure leisure activities
• indoor soft play
• outdoor adventure play area
• outdoor skate park provision
• outdoor mountain bike area. 

Stakeholder engagement on the naming of the Complex commenced in March 2017.  The purpose of the engagement was to work with potential users, sports partners, Elected Members and employees to identify a name that communicated the ethos of the leisure and recreational provision across the Borough and was complementary to the brand for our sister leisure complex, Bangor Aurora and Aquatic Leisure Complex. 

Following a meeting of Ards and North Down Borough Council in November 2017 it was decided that the replacement leisure Complex in Newtownards should be given the name ‘Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex’.

Why We Are Consulting

As part of the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) the Council is consulting with the public, employees, relevant interest groups and other statutory bodies on the decision, and we are interested in your views on naming the replacement leisure Complex ‘Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex’

Your replies will be treated in strictest confidence and will be completely anonymous at all times. The results of this consultation will be made available on Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Website.