Ballymena leisure centre costs soar to £54m as council looks to private sector for funding

CGI of the new Ballymena Health and Leisure Centre recently approved by Planners at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

Plans for a new leisure centre in Ballymena have taken a significant turn, with construction costs now estimated at £54 million—more than double the original projection—prompting Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to openly seek private sector involvement to deliver the long-awaited project.

While full planning permission for the proposed centre at St Patrick’s Link was approved last Thursday, 15 January, the scale of the funding gap means the development is effectively on hold, despite being described as “shovel-ready”.

Costs more than double in six years

The leisure centre was first mooted in 2020, when the estimated cost stood at £25 million. Since then, inflation, rising construction costs and broader financial pressures on local government budgets are understood to have driven the projected cost to £54 million.

The proposed development has been positioned as a once-in-a-generation investment in Ballymena’s public amenities, forming a key part of wider regeneration plans for the St Patrick’s site, a highly accessible location serving residents across the town and surrounding areas.

Despite the pressing need to replace the ageing Seven Towers Leisure Centre, the project did not feature in Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s newly discussed four-year Capital Plan, which was considered behind closed doors last week.

Council confirms funding constraints

New Ballymena leisure centre Level 1 Floor Plan

Following queries from Love Ballymena regarding the rising costs and the Capital Plan discussions, the council confirmed it is currently unable to proceed with construction.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said:

“Council is delighted that planning permission has been secured for a new leisure centre in Ballymena.

“Although not in a position to proceed with a new build at this time due to financial constraints, we remain open to exploring additional funding opportunities and would welcome engagement from private developers, companies or other partners who may wish to support the delivery of a new leisure centre in the future.”

While the planning approval removes a major administrative barrier, the statement underlines a stark reality: the council does not currently have the resources to fund the project on its own.

Shift towards private partnership model

New Ballymena leisure centre Level 2 Floor Plan

The council’s comments signal a clear pivot away from a traditionally publicly funded model, towards the possibility of a public-private partnership (PPP).

By securing planning permission first, the local authority has reduced risk for potential investors, making the project more attractive to developers who may be willing to share costs or take on delivery in return for commercial opportunities.

Such arrangements could involve a private operator running parts of the facility—such as the gym or spa—or linking the leisure centre to wider commercial or residential development on adjacent land.

However, no formal proposals or partners have yet been announced, and there is currently no confirmed timeline for construction.

A modern vision still on ice

The approved plans outline a major modern facility designed to transform leisure provision in Ballymena, replacing Seven Towers, which opened in 1971 and is now widely regarded as no longer fit for purpose.

The proposed centre would include swimming pools, sports halls, fitness facilities, community spaces and family-friendly amenities, offering a significant upgrade for residents of all ages.

For now, however, the project remains stalled, with planning approval serving more as a foundation for future negotiations than a green light for building works.

Hope, frustration and uncertainty for residents

For many in Ballymena, the news brings a mixture of optimism and frustration. While planning approval confirms the council’s long-term ambition, the absence of funding means residents should not expect construction to begin any time soon.

Community leaders and local families—who continue to rely on the ageing Seven Towers facility—will be watching closely to see whether private sector interest materialises and whether the council can bridge the widening financial gap.

Until then, the £54 million leisure centre remains a vision on paper: approved, ambitious, but waiting for someone to pay for it.