As the first centre of its kind in Northern Ireland, the £30m Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex offers a versatile, multi-purpose sports hall to boost social, leisure, and economic wellbeing of local residents in the Ards and North Down Borough.
Tetra Tech provided civil, structural, transportation, fire engineering, and Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) services to this project on behalf of the Ards and North Down Borough Council.
Modern and state-of-the-arts amenities
Open seven days a week with extended opening hours, the centre delivers modern and state-of-the-arts amenities. It contains everything from a six-lane, 25-metre swimming pool, a multi-sports and activities hall, luxury spa, contemporary gym incorporating three fitness studios and 110-station gym, a children’s soft play area, and a UK-first Blacklight Adventure Zone incorporating adventure golf, climbing walls, and high ropes.
Outside, the facility features a diversity play area and sensory garden, a biking pump track, a wheel park for skateboarding, scooters, BMX and inline skating.
A Hybrid and durable structure
To meet the durability and aesthetic requirements, a hybrid structure was adopted, comprising a mixture of materials, including reinforced concrete framing, structural steelwork, and glulam timber. In line with the development of Tetra Tech’s BIM Level 2 capabilities, this project was modelled using Autodesk Revit, which proved invaluable given the complex geometries of the roof profile.
Stephen Alford, Director at Tetra Tech, said: “Meeting the unique challenges of this project head-on has provided us with invaluable experience, which we have been able to transfer to our current portfolio of leisure sector schemes.”
Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council Cllr Richard Smart said: “Stepping through the doors, you are immediately aware of the scale of this project and the attention to detail is first class. It’s a great start to the new year and a great investment in our social wellbeing and health.”
“The Council is delighted to bring this facility to residents and I hope that everyone will be encouraged to make full use of it.”
