Trade Unions have raised concerns that staff may have to “compete” for roles when the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum closes for redevelopment.

A letter sent to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Chief Executive Alison McCullagh seen by this newspaper expresses concern that management has retracted their assurances that employment would be protected.

The letter signed by trade union leaders, Peter Macklin, GMB; Janice Walsh, NIPSA and Gareth Scott, UNITE stated: “[The Council] gave solid assurances that our members' employment would be protected, and that every effort would be made to ensure that they would be redeployed 'seamlessly' into alternative roles within the Council and that their roles would be further protected on completion of the project.

“This message is wholly inconsistent with that contained within correspondence from Ian Davidson to Leisure Staff, dated June 25, 2024, in which he suggests that our members are in an 'at risk' situation and will have to compete for various roles.”

This revelation comes as the Council prepares to begin the redevelopment of the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum later this year.

It will cause concern for staff members within the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum who have worked for decades in the service.

While the Council say they are “fully committed to protecting the ongoing employment of staff” there are no assurances in correspondences that staff in full-time roles will be guaranteed a full-time role instead Council state that “there are a number of vacancies across Leisure Services which have been put on hold and are currently available, as well as other vacancies, throughout the Council.

“We also expect other posts will become available over the coming months. The roles include a suite of permanent/temporary/full-time/part-time jobs.”

The letter which has caused dismay with the Trade Unions was sent to leisure centre staff from Ian Davidson, Head of Wellbeing and Cultural Services, and told staff they were in the priority, ‘at risk’ group.

The letter, seen by this newspaper, stated that: “At the outset, I again wish to make very clear the Council is fully committed to protecting the ongoing employment of all staff.”

The letter stated: “This means that you are now in the priority 'at risk' group to protect your continued employment in that jobs will be trawled, and the 'at risk' staff at the Lakeland Forum, given priority to take part in the recruitment process before all other groups of staff or the general public.

“As per the briefing on June 18, there are a number of vacancies across Leisure Services which have been put on hold and are currently available, as well as other vacancies, throughout the Council. We also expect other posts will become available over the coming months. The roles include a suite of permanent/temporary/full-time/part-time jobs.”

A full business case on the proposals for the new Lakeland Forum will be presented to the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council later this year.

The project is ambitious and the redevelopment plan aims to transform the popular Enniskillen facility into a “state-of-the-art” leisure, health and wellbeing hub.

Plans include a wide range of indoor and outdoor leisure and recreation activities and the inclusion of an active waterfront area is part of the redevelopment proposal.

The key elements of the redevelopment plan include enhanced sporting facilities featuring sports amenities designed to cater to the diverse needs and interests of the community, including a new 3G pitch and upgraded swimming pool and gym facilities.

The proposed redevelopment will also include community and multipurpose spaces for health partners with dedicated areas for wellness activities, such as yoga and pilates, as well as spaces for relaxation and rejuvenation.

In addition, there are also plans for a new café as part of the development.

A spokesperson for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said: “Work is ongoing in relation to plans for the proposed redevelopment of Fermanagh Lakeland Forum and it is anticipated that a Full Business Case, which will consider all aspects of the redevelopment, will be presented to Council in Autumn 2024 for consideration.

“The Council is engaging with Fermanagh Lakeland Forum staff and is fully committed to protecting their ongoing employment with the Council.  All HR matters are dealt with in line with relevant policies and procedures. We are unable to comment further on employee matters.”