Mid and East Antrim leisure centres set for 6am openings under major shake-up of hours

Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena

Monday 26 October 2026

Leisure centres in Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus could open from 6am until 10pm on weekdays under plans approved by a Mid and East Antrim Borough Council committee to introduce longer, standardised opening hours across all three facilities.

The proposals, which would affect Seven Towers Leisure Centre in Ballymena, Larne Leisure Centre and the Amphitheatre in Carrickfergus, are expected to come into operation during the 2027/28 financial year, subject to further consultation and full council approval.

The changes follow a review prompted by an Alliance Party motion calling for leisure centres to open on bank holidays.

At a meeting of the council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee at The Braid in Ballymena, councillors supported a new timetable aimed at improving access, increasing membership and making council-run facilities more competitive with commercial gyms.

What are the proposed new opening hours?

Under the proposed arrangements, all three leisure centres would operate to the same timetable:

• Monday to Friday: 6am–10pm

• Saturday: 8am–4pm

• Sunday: 8am–4pm

The changes would mean significantly earlier weekday opening at Larne Leisure Centre and Seven Towers, alongside later evening access at all three facilities.

Currently, the Amphitheatre opens at 6.30am on weekdays, Seven Towers at 7.30am and Larne Leisure Centre at 8am. All three close at 9pm.

On Saturdays, the Amphitheatre opens from 8am until 5pm, while Larne and Seven Towers operate from 8.30am until 5.30pm.

Sunday opening hours also vary, with the Amphitheatre opening at 9am, Larne at 10am and Seven Towers at 11am. All three close at 5pm.

While the proposed changes would provide earlier access at weekends, they would also bring forward Saturday closing times and Sunday closing times by one hour.

Extended hours could cost £185,000 annually

A report presented to councillors estimated that extending opening hours would increase staffing costs by approximately £15,400 per month across the three centres, equivalent to almost £185,000 annually.

However, the council anticipates a 10 per cent increase in leisure membership, potentially generating an additional £160,000 in income during the next financial year.

The report indicated that annual leisure membership income across the borough is estimated at £1.6 million, accounting for approximately 55 per cent of total leisure income.

Additional revenue is also anticipated through increased pay-as-you-go use of gyms, fitness classes and swimming pools.

Councillors were advised that neighbouring councils and commercial gyms typically operate between 6am and 10pm.

The report described early morning and late evening access as a “standard component of a modern leisure membership offer” that would “support improved customer satisfaction”.

Councillors welcome business approach

Committee chair, Carrickfergus Castle Alderman Billy Ashe, welcomed what he described as a “business approach” to the council’s leisure services.

Matt McDowell, the council’s director of people, highlighted the importance of providing facilities at times that suit residents.

He said:

“I think it is very important we offer opportunities for residents to use our facilities at appropriate times. There is significant demand for early opening. We should be generating increased income from increased opening hours.”

Larne Lough Alliance Councillor Maeve Donnelly, who proposed accepting the recommendation to extend and standardise opening hours, noted that Larne Leisure Centre faces competition from a 24-hour gym.

Ballymena Ulster Unionist Councillor Brian Thompson questioned how the new arrangements would be marketed.

In response, Mr McDowell indicated that a promotional campaign would be undertaken “coming into the new financial year”.

Cllr Thompson seconded the proposal.

Weekend closing times questioned

Bannside Ulster Unionist Councillor Jackson Minford highlighted that the proposed timetable would result in earlier closing times on Saturdays and Sundays compared with current arrangements.

Mr McDowell responded that “usage drops off significantly at weekends around 4pm”.

Bannside DUP Councillor Tyler Hoey also sought information on user numbers during the discussion.

Staff consultation and final approval required

The committee report confirmed that consultation will take place with staff and trade unions before any revised opening hours are introduced.

The committee’s recommendation must also be ratified by the full council.

If approved, the new timetable is expected to be introduced during the 2027/28 financial year, providing a consistent schedule across the borough’s three main leisure centres.