A number of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council facilities will reopen to the public over the coming days following further easing of Covid-19 restrictions announced by the Northern Ireland Executive recently.

Toilet facilities at the Marble Arch Visitor Centre have reopened while 'above ground experiences' such as ‘eco adventure’ and ‘Unlocking the Hidden World of Cladagh Glen’ walks will run from Friday 30 April 2021 and are available to book via the Marble Arch Caves website. The café for take away services will then reopen on Saturday 1 May 2021. For further information please visit www.marblearchcaves.co.uk or telephone 028 6632 1815.

Meanwhile, the Visitor Centre including the Visitor Information Service, Gift Shop and toilet facilities at Enniskillen Castle will reopen to the public on Friday 30 April 2021. For further information please visit www.enniskillencastle.co.uk or telephone 028 6632 5000.

Tours at Marble Arch Caves and Enniskillen Castle will resume when Covid-19 restrictions permit.

Fitness suites at the Council’s four leisure centres – Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown; Castle Park Leisure Centre, Lisnaskea; Fermanagh Lakeland Forum, Enniskillen and Omagh Leisure Complex – as well as the swimming pools at Fermanagh Lakeland Forum and Omagh Leisure Complex, will reopen for individual exercise on Tuesday 4 May 2021.

The major halls at Castle Park Leisure Centre, Fermanagh Lakeland Forum and Omagh Leisure Complex will continue to operate as vaccination centres at this time.

The reopening of fitness suites and swimming pools for individual exercise follows on from the reopening of Council operated outdoor sports pitches, running tracks and bowling greens for training by affiliated clubs and tennis courts for play from 12 April and for competitive outdoor sport organised by a club, individual or individuals affiliated, with numbers not exceeding 100 and no spectators permitted, from 23 April.

The Council's customer 'Connect Centres' at County Buildings, Enniskillen and Strule House, High Street, Omagh will also reopen to the public on Tuesday 4 May 2021. Both centres will be open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm, with access by appointment only. Appointments may be made by contacting the Council directly on 0300 303 1777. Compostable liners for brown food waste caddies will be available to collect outside both Connect Centres. Compostable food waste caddy liners are also available to collect from recycling centres.

Speaking about the reopening of further Council facilities, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Diana Armstrong, said:

“The reopening of more of the Council's facilities in line with restrictions is another step forward to a sense of normality and is welcome news after what has been a difficult time.

"Council staff have been working hard to ensure a safe and enjoyable return to our facilities and we look forward to welcoming people through our doors once again.

"As always, I urge everyone to play their part to keep themselves and each other safe by keeping their distance from others, wearing a face covering where necessary, washing or sanitising hands regularly and by staying at home if they or anyone in their household has Covid-19 symptoms and to book a test.”

A range of measures have been put in place at all Council facilities to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience for everyone. When visiting a Council facility, people are reminded to use sanitising stations available, wear a face covering as required within buildings, keep their distance from others and follow directional signage in place.

All leisure activities must be booked in advance online at leisure.fermanaghomagh.com or by contacting the leisure centre directly using the following contact details at the following times. Bookings can be made up to 24 hours in advance.

Bawnacre Centre

Email: george.beacom@fermanaghomagh.com

Telephone: 028 6682 1177 Monday to Friday from 10am-4pm

Castle Park Leisure Centre

Email: damian.maguire@fermanaghomagh.com

Telephone: 028 6772 1299 Monday to Friday from 9am-4pm

Fermanagh Lakeland Forum

Email: forumbookings@fermanaghomagh.com

Telephone: 028 6632 4121 Monday to Friday from 8am-4pm

Omagh Leisure Complex

Email: olcbookings@fermanaghomagh.com

Telephone: 028 8224 6711 Monday to Friday from 8am-4pm

To keep up to date with Council services and access to facilities and venues please visit the Council website at www.fermanaghomagh.com, follow the Council’s social media channels @fermanaghomagh or telephone the Council on 0300 303 1777 (calls charged at local rate) Monday – Friday 9 am-5 pm.

For up-to-date information on Covid-19 restrictions and regulations visit www.nidirect.gov.uk and for public health advice visit the PHA website at www.publichealth.hscni.net.