Sod cutting for new centre

The developers are Lisburn Bowl and the facility will be located behind Springsteen’s Restaurant within the Leisure Park.

The Mayor, Alderman William Leathem, said: “Lisburn’s tourism industry has grown significantly in recent years with many activities on offer for visitors to the city area. We are confident that the Bowling Centre will see something new for residents and visitors. We hope to see job-creation opportunities as this project commences in the New Year and as the Leisure Park is a very popular place, we hope to see our night-time economy grow. It is good news for Lisburn and I would like to wish Lisburn Bowl every success with this development.”

The Chairman of Lisburn City Council’s Leisure Services Committee, Cllr Thomas Beckett, who also attended the ceremony on behalf of the Council said: “The new bowling centre will add to the current offer within the Leisure Park. We are confident that footfall which is already extremely busy in this area with our own Lagan Valley LeisurePlex, the Omniplex cinema and the choice of restaurants available, will increase with the addition of this brand-new tenpin bowling facility.

“This capital build is also a vote of confidence in Lisburn and we are very pleased that the developers have chosen to locate within the city area,” he said.

DUP MLA Edwin Poots and Alderman Paul Porter expressed delight that after a long period of preparation and development work to deliver the bowling alley has now begun.

Having been asked to carry out the sod cutting Mr Poots and Mr Porter stated: “There has been considerable work involved in getting the project to this point and despite the global downturn and the economic challenges that we face the delivery of this much anticipated project is a clear demonstration and vote of confidence by the private sector in Lisburn Leisure Park.

“This new development will involve a substantial investment in the region of 2.5 million, creating 30 jobs in the construction and 60 jobs when the bowling alley is completed. This is a significant win for ratepayers of Lisburn in that the facility, which will be widely used, has been totally funded by the private sector with no expense to the ratepayer of Lisburn and indeed Lisburn City Council has received money for the operation of the lease and will benefit from additional rates revenue while employment is created which adds a further attraction to the city of Lisburn.”

Mr Poots and Mr Porter commended those behind this proposed development: “it has been our pleasure to work with the developer throughout this process going back many years to bring the much anticipated Ten Pin Bowling Alley to fruition.”