Ulster Unionist Councillors, Alderman Ken Twyble and Alderman Jim Speers have welcomed another major milestone being reached in the delivery of the Craigavon Leisure Centre project after planning permission was granted for the £30 million leisure facility. Work is expected to begin in early 2018 with completion date expected in 2020.
Alderman Ken Twyble, who is Chair of the South Lake Leisure Centre Project Board, set up originally under the old Craigavon Council, said:
“I am delighted that planning has been approved for the new leisure centre. This will be a state of the art facility in the heart of Craigavon set in beautiful surroundings with the lakes right on its doorstep. It`s a massive step up in terms of what we have to offer and when it is complete I would encourage everyone from right across the Council area to make use of what will be one of the best council facilities in Northern Ireland. The granting of planning permission marks a major milestone in the delivery of this prestigious facility and whilst I am Chair of the Project Board I will do my utmost to ensure that it is delivered on time and within budget. I want to thank all my council colleagues who have worked together on this to get to where we are today. And I also wish to thank former colleagues such as Ronnie Harkness and Meta Crozier who had the foresight and forbearance to see this project through from the time it was only a concept in people`s heads. They stuck with it and their perseverance has paid off.”
Alderman Jim Speers, Ulster Unionist Group leader on ABC Council, said:
“I want to pay particular tribute to my colleague Alderman Ken Twyble who has been Chair of the Leisure Centre Project Board from its days in Craigavon Council and into the new Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council. The progress on these new state of the art facilities has been delivered under his stewardship and leadership. There were concerns raised along the way, but with Ken at the helm they were taken on board. And I am delighted that we have reached this point today.”