A full business case for the future development of the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum will be presented to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council on Monday, December 16, it has been confirmed.

Speaking at Tuesday evening’s meeting of the Council, Chief Executive Alison McCullagh briefly highlighted the all-important date when the future of the leisure facility in Enniskillen will be decided.

It is anticipated that, if approved, the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum will close in December.

The new facility is scheduled to reopen in Spring 2027.

Planning approval was granted by the Council on September 20, 2023.  There has been some controversy about the cost of the project as the full cost of the project remains up in the air.

Previously, a cost of £52million was estimated in 2023.

In October, 2023, a Motion calling for all decisions on the proposed redevelopment to be rescinded fell during a Council meeting.

The Motion called for all decisions to be rescinded to allow scrutiny of the proposed expenditure, with Councillor Mark Ovens (UUP) stressing: “Ratepayers are being asked to pay for this and the least we can do is let them know how much it’s going to cost.”

The plan includes cutting-edge sports amenities, including a new eight-lane swimming pool, separate learner pool and splash pad area for young children and gym facilities.

It also includes versatile community and multipurpose spaces, with dedicated areas for health and wellness activities.

Outdoors, the proposal includes a destination playpark and urban sports park; 3G sports pitch; new cycling, walking and running trails; the development of an active waterfront area and improved pedestrian linkages to Enniskillen town centre.