Brook Leisure Centre

Dowds Group was an integral part of the team that completed two state-of-the-art leisure centres in the first phase of Belfast City Council’s ambitious Leisure Transformation Programme. A third leisure centre has been completed, shortly after Brook and Lisnasharragh, which Dowds also provided its services to – The Andersonstown Leisure Centre.

Dowds Group were contracted to provide comprehensive Mechanical and Electrical services for Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre and Brook Leisure Centre, on a site close to the former Brook Activity Centre in Twinbrook. Part of a £105m investment in Belfast’s leisure services, M&E work on the new sports facilities would eventually overlap. 

“From a mechanical services perspective, the systems installed in each of the projects are similar in design, and detailed out to suit the building layout and the needs of the client,” explained Jack Gourley, Operations Manager at Dowds Group. “We worked closely with the main contractor Heron Bros, JCP Consulting Ltd, McAdam Design, and Belfast City Council from initial design concept through to completion. Together we were able to deliver the projects on budget, each tailored to their particular needs. "Although clearly there was common ground between the two centres, there was still a level of customisation with Belfast City Council keen to ensure both would have their own unique selling point. For Lisnasharragh that would come in the form of an eight-lane swimming pool and the role as leading Aquatic Centre in Belfast; whilst Brook’s emphasis would be on ‘outdoor leisure provision’, with eight 3G pitches.

Fit for purpose Mechanical and Electrical work was completed at the £15m Brook Leisure Centre in November 2019, with the £20m Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre following suit. Not only was the installation on budget and fully fit for purpose, it also proved particularly client-friendly. “We streamlined the supply chain we used for plant manufacturers and specialist systems which allows Belfast City Council to set up maintenance contracts across each of the centres,” said Operations Manager, Jack Gourley. For more than four decades Dowds has been delivering quality installations to a diverse range of clients throughout the UK & Ireland, earning a glowing reputation across the Health, Education, Commercial and Industrial sectors. The new facilities at Lisnasharragh and Brook also provide further evidence of expertise in the multi-faceted and often complicated leisure arena. “For Dowds Group this was a great opportunity to work with Belfast City Council to deliver these fantastic new leisure facilities for the community,” Jack added. Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Daniel Baker, who opened both Lisnasharragh and Brook, is in no doubt that the Dowds’ efforts, and those of the entire construction team have achieved their goal: “The facilities will play a vital role in improving health and well-being in the local communities, which is a central aim of the Belfast Agenda, the city’s community plan, he commented.”

Lisnasharragh and Brook Leisure Centres, Belfast - Plumbing And Heating Magazine (plumbingmag.com)