A £2.4m upgrade of Armagh’s Orchard Leisure Centre has moved a step closer, with ABC Council now seeking a contractor for the work. Construction is expected to begin in November, although the council has not yet confirmed whether the Folly Lane facility will need to close or face other disruption.
The deadline for contractors to submit tenders is August 24. An appointment is expected to be made shortly afterwards, with the council hoping work can begin at the end of November this year.
What the Orchard Leisure Centre work includes
The contract will focus on refurbishing the existing Vitality Suite. Planned work includes stripping out the current suite and installing new partitions, floor, ceiling and wall finishes.
The project also includes a new sanarium, plunge pools and showers. Other customer-facing improvements listed for the Vitality Suite include a hot tub and cold plunge, heated seating and new wall and floor coverings.
Mechanical and electrical services will also be upgraded throughout the leisure centre as part of the wider scheme.
Centre expected to remain in use during replacement plans
ABC Council owns the Orchard Leisure Centre. When the investment was discussed by the council’s community and wellbeing committee in February, members were told the work was needed to maintain the facility and keep it operational.
The centre is described as approaching the end of its useful life. The upgrade is intended to extend the building’s lifespan by another five to seven years while work continues on plans for a replacement leisure centre.
The investment was approved by the council in October 2024. When the scheme was first reported in February, its estimated cost was £1.8m. The current tender places the expected cost at approximately £2.4m.
The Orchard Leisure Centre had faced complaints about its condition and the facilities available to the public before the investment decision was made. However, no decision had previously been taken on whether the works would require a full or partial closure.
Closure arrangements still to be confirmed
An ABC Council spokesperson told Armagh I that arrangements for carrying out the work will not be known until a contractor has been appointed and a programme agreed. If a full closure is needed, council officers have said staff, unions and elected members will receive a full update.
The contract is planned to run for 12 months. The council hopes the upgraded Orchard Leisure Centre will be back in full operation by the end of November 2027, with the refurbishment completed alongside the wider mechanical and electrical works.