Fermanagh Lakeland Forum to be replaced with new Passivhaus facility

A 48-year-old leisure centre in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, is set to be replaced with the first Passivhaus-standard leisure centre on the island of Ireland.

Fermanagh Lakeland Forum will close in December, signalling the beginning of the project. It is anticipated the new centre will open in Spring 2027. The ambitious redevelopment plan – which was awarded £20m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund in 2023 – will see the development of a leisure centre with environmental sustainability at its core. Each Passivhaus project adopts a whole-building approach with clear, measured targets, focused on high-quality construction, certified through an exacting quality assurance process.

Facilities at the new centre will include an eight-lane swimming pool, a separate learner pool and splash pad area for young children. There will also be a health club with a large gym floor, as well as multi-purpose spaces for health partners and wellness activities. Outdoor facilities include 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.

The proposal was developed following consultation and engagement with elected representatives, members of the public, statutory and community organisations and local businesses.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, which owns the site, has appointed local contractor Graham to finalise the design.

Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, councillor John McClaughry, said: “The overall proposal to redevelop the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum and the surrounding area has been designed to benefit local people and the wider district by creating new opportunities for leisure and recreation, health and wellbeing.”