New sauna and steam room planned for Sixmile Leisure Centre
Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors have been given an update on the planned installation of a new sauna and steam room at Sixmile Leisure Centre, Ballyclare.
Minutes of a discussion, which took place behind closed doors, last month, said the existing facilities have reached the end of their lifespan and “significant investment would be required to return them to a safe, operational and serviceable condition”.
Councillors were told that the sauna has not been operational for the past two years due to the condition of its “fabric, mechanical components and control systems”.
The report stated that although the steam room has remained operational, its age and condition has resulted in “increased maintenance requirements, recurring faults and reduced reliability”.
It said: “These issues had adversely affected service delivery and customer satisfaction, reducing confidence in the reliability, availability and overall quality of the provision.”
Minutes outlined proposals for the installation of a new sauna and steam room in a new location adjacent to the swimming pool. It noted that the new facilities would be delivered as prefabricated units to minimise disruption.
It is anticipated the project will be completed at an undisclosed cost during the 2026/27 financial year. In addition, a business case has been approved for new fitness equipment at Sixmile and Crumlin Leisure Centres.
Minutes of the committee meeting indicated that exercise bikes were transferred from Valley Leisure Centre in Newtownabbey to Crumlin Leisure Centre in 2024. This equipment is now reportedly “beyond its expected life cycle”.
The report noted a membership growth of nine per cent at Crumlin Leisure Centre since April 2025 and three per cent, at Valley Leisure Centre, following investment in cardiovascular equipment.
The committee was advised the preferred option was the replacement of cardiovascular equipment at Sixmile Leisure Centre and the replacement of all ‘Group Cycles’ at Crumlin Leisure Centre.
It was proposed by Airport Sinn Fein Councillor Annemarie Logue and seconded by party colleague Antrim Cllr Lucille O’Hagan and agreed the business case for the replacement of selected fitness equipment at Sixmile Leisure Centre and Crumlin Leisure Centre be approved.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter