Ballycastle Leisure Centre takes shape as swimming pool, climbing wall and pump track progress

Taking shape: Work progressing at the new Ballycastle Leisure Centre.

Saturday 10 October 2026

Ballycastle’s new leisure centre is taking shape, with its swimming pool, climbing wall and outdoor facilities reaching significant construction milestones as work progresses on the major development at Quay Road.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has confirmed that the pump track is now complete, the bouldering wall has been installed and most of the tiling in the swimming pool and changing areas is in place.

The development will bring new indoor and outdoor recreation facilities to Ballycastle, offering opportunities for swimming, fitness, climbing, play, walking and cycling for people of different ages and abilities.

New facilities taking shape

The centrepiece of the development will be a 25-metre, four-lane swimming pool, alongside a gym, fitness facilities, activity studio, health suite and bouldering wall.

An accessible play park, pump track and walking and cycling provision will extend the development beyond the main building, creating a wider recreational space for residents and visitors.

Council's latest construction update highlights progress across several areas of the site:

• Swimming pool and changing facilities: Most of the tiling has been completed, with further work continuing.

• Pool hall: Installation of the glazing is underway, bringing the building's exterior closer to completion.

• Bouldering wall: The climbing feature has been installed and is awaiting its final fixings.

• Activity areas: Internal spaces are becoming more clearly defined as construction progresses.

• Pump track: Construction is complete, with the facility now in place.

• Accessible play park: Work is continuing as the play area takes shape.

• Roads, access and landscaping: Construction continues across the surrounding roads, access routes and landscaped areas.

Although the pump track is physically complete, the council has not announced when it or the other facilities will open to the public.

Mayor welcomes visible progress

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Dawn Huggins, welcomed the latest developments, describing the progress as an important milestone for Ballycastle.

She said:

“It is extremely encouraging to see Ballycastle Leisure Centre continuing to take shape, with significant milestones now visible across the site.

“For the local community, this is an important stage in the project. What was once a vision for Ballycastle is now becoming increasingly tangible, with the swimming pool, bouldering wall, Pump Track and other elements of the development giving a real sense of what this new facility will offer.

“This is a significant investment in Ballycastle and the wider area. Once complete, the Leisure Centre and its surrounding facilities will provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to swim, exercise, climb, play, walk and cycle, supporting active lifestyles and community wellbeing.

“There is still work to be completed, but the progress made in recent months is very positive. We look forward to keeping the community informed as the project moves towards completion.”

Focus shifts to finishing work

Construction gathered momentum throughout the spring and summer, with favourable weather conditions helping work advance across the building and surrounding grounds.

As the project moves through autumn and into winter, attention will increasingly focus on completing the internal facilities and finishing the remaining external works, including roads, access and landscaping.

The council has also been documenting the transformation of the site throughout construction, recording key stages as the development moves towards completion.

Opening details still to be confirmed

While substantial progress is now visible, the council has not provided a confirmed opening date in its latest update. Details of the activities, programmes and facilities available to users will be released as the project progresses.

Further construction updates are also planned, keeping residents informed as the development approaches its final stages.

For the Ballycastle community, the next significant milestone will be confirmation of when the new centre and its outdoor facilities can begin welcoming visitors.