Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is encouraging adults across the borough to reinvigorate their fitness routine following the easing of lockdown restrictions by fully utilising outdoor gym equipment located at several popular outdoor recreation sites across the borough.
Next month, leisure staff will be running free taster sessions for small groups who are keen to learn about the range of fitness equipment available, how to use each piece of equipment properly along with how to get a full body workout in a short time by quickly moving through the different stations.
Advocating the increased use of outdoor gyms, Lord Mayor Councillor Kevin Savage said: “It’s great to see our outdoor gyms re-open to the public after being closed during lockdown. Hopefully these sessions will help raise the profile of our outdoor gyms and serve to remind local communities that they should take full advantage of these facilities if they are committed to get their exercise routine back on track.
Suitable for everyone from beginners to experienced gym-goers, our outdoor gyms are just as effective as indoor gyms in helping individuals to lose weight, increase stamina, build strength and keep fit as they offer same range of equipment such as cross-trainers, bikes, shoulder and leg presses and pull-up bars.
These sessions are another strand to our Get Active Outdoors Summer Programme and are further evidence of our unstinting efforts to get as many adults as possible back into exercising daily and achieving the recommended target of 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week.”
Two sessions – the first at 10am and the second at 11.30am – will be delivered at five venues, will each last one hour and cater for up to 8 people in line with government guidance.
They commence on Monday 10 August at Loughgall Country Park and will continue on Tuesday 11 August at Palace Demesne (Armagh), Wednesday 12 August at Solitude Park (Banbridge), Kinnego Marina (Craigavon) on Monday 17 August and Portadown People’s Park on Tuesday 18 August.
These sessions can be booked online at www.getactiveabc.com/outdoors
As work continues on the magnificent South Lake Leisure Centre in Craigavon, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is inviting suitably qualified and experienced practitioners to register their interest in working from the venue’s state-of-the-art Health and Wellbeing Suite on a self-employed basis.
The fabulous Health and Wellbeing Suite includes a steam room, sauna and vitality pool; there are 5 treatment rooms along with additional nail and pedicure bars and a dedicated relaxation area. Rooms will be offered on a rental basis, either exclusively to one therapist or shared by agreement. A variety of treatments will be offered, therefore therapists offering nail, beauty treatments, face and body treatments, holistic therapies, physiotherapy, aesthetic treatments, and complementary therapies are all welcome to register their interest.
The range of treatments and operational model will be finalised following a market engagement exercise that will take place throughout June.
Interested parties must register their interest before 5pm on Friday 26th June 2020 in order to participate and assist Council in defining the final delivery approach and customer offering.
The centre is scheduled to open later in the year (subject to works recommencing on-site and Covid-19 government restrictions being lifted), therefore a formal process to work from the Health and Wellbeing suite will follow the market engagement exercise.
To register your interest and receive further information on this exciting opportunity, please complete a form at www.getactiveabc.com/south-lake-leisure-centre/health-and-wellbeing or email Joanne Martin at .
Once registered, applicants will receive an opportunity prospectus that will set out the opportunity and process in more detail.
Loughgall Country Park & Golf Course Annual Golf Subscription rates April 2020 to March 2021 are as follows:
Adult £394.00
Adult Concession £310.00
Junior (16 – 17 years) £110.00
Junior (Up to 15 years) £74.00
Student £147.00
Non-Student (18 – 21) £231.00
Couple £620.00
Couple + 1 Child £646.00
Family 1 adult, 1 child (Up to 15 years) £441.00
Family 1 adult, 2 children (Up to 15 years) £483.00
Family 1 adult, 3 children (Up to 15 years) £541.00
Family 1 adult, 1 child (16 – 17 years) £488.00
Family 1 adult, 2 children (16 – 17 years) £552.00
Subscription payment can be paid in one cash payment as per above prices or monthly by direct debit.
For more information, please contact reception on + 44 28 3889 2900 or email
Loughgall Golf Club – Membership
When an annual Subscription is paid to Loughgall Country Park, you may apply to become a member of Loughgall Golf Club.
To find out more about becoming a member of Loughgall Golf Club, please click here or visit www.loughgallgolfclub.com.
Expression of intrest
The Council is inviting suitably qualified and experience practitioners to register their interest in working from this suite on a self-employed basis. Rooms will be offered on a rental basis, either exclusively to one therapist or shared by agreement. A variety of treatments will be offered, therefore therapists offering nail, beauty treatments, face and body treatments, holistic therapies, physiotherapy, aesthetic treatments, and complementary therapies are all welcomed.
Interested parties must register their interest before June 19th, 2020 in order to participate and assist the Council in defining the final delivery approach and customer offer.
For more information please visit https://getactiveabc.com/south-lake-leisure-centre/health-and-wellbeing/
We have enlisted the help of a team of experts from within our own organisation – fitness instructors, sports coaches, recreation and health improvement officers – and teamed up with representatives from partner organisations such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Sport NI and Disability Sport NI who work with us in delivering physical exercise programmes to targeted groups – to share their skills and knowledge with a view to helping you nurture your whole self and maintain a healthy balance between your body, mind and soul.
Check out our getactiveabc YouTube channel to view our Online Fitness Classes click here
#StayActiveatHome
#StayHomeSaveLives
Please also, visit our new Health and Wellbeing hub at https://bit.ly/3bmbaIl and keep in touch as we expand on the information provided.
Your health and well-being is important to us during this time of isolation. Maintaining your positive mental health is vital and we advise everyone to make the extra effort to build these 5 steps into our daily lives. Download flyer
Welcome to our facility closure frquently asked questions, hopefully you will be able to find the answers you need on this page.
Apologies if you have been directed here after calling one of our facilities, you will appreciate that in the current climate it is very difficult for us to have a telephony system in place.
We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused you and thank you for your patience at this time.
Update on all Council facility closures
Join the getactiveabc mailing list to receive updates
Leisure Facility Closures - Frequently Asked Questions
Why are facilities closed?
We have been advised that in the interests of managing the spread of the Covid 19 virus we should close our Leisure Facilities.
How long will the closures last?
At the moment we are unsure how long the closures will last, we are working closely with the government and we will reopen as soon as we are advised to do so.
Will I still have my direct Debit taken from my bank account even though I can’t use the facility?
All Direct Debits will be suspended and will not recommence until facilities are operational again and fixed term Members have received the appropriate extensions to their membership.
I have paid for a fixed period membership and I can’t use the facility because of the closure
Your membership will be extended to include the period of time that the facility is closed; e.g. if your membership is due to expire in August and the closure lasts 2 months, then your membership will be adjusted to expire in October.
I have paid for a booking due to take place during the closure?
You will be offered the opportunity to re-arrange the activity/booking or a credit towards another activity/booking when the facility re-opens.
Alternatively you will be offered a refund.
How will I know when the facility is due to reopen?
We will be posting updates throughout the period of the closure on social media, in local papers and by email to our members.
I have a voucher that is due to expire soon
Any time sensitive vouchers will be extended when the facilities re-open.
I have paid for swimming lessons, will I be refunded?
At the moment we are planning to reschedule swimming lessons as soon as we are operational again and we will do everything we can to make this work for you.
However, we don’t know when that will be and we appreciate that this will not suit some customers. We will offer a refund if we can’t rearrange.
Are children's activities still taking place ... such as swimming lessons ?
All our children’s activities are suspended and will remain so until further notice.
What happens to my child’s place?
Your child will keep their place when the activity resumes.
Will there be Easter Activity Programmes for young people?
All activities are currently postponed and whilst the length of closure is uncertain at present, it is unlikely that we will be in a position to deliver an Easter Activity Programme this year.
Are Parks open?
Pedestrian access to all Parks in the borough will be introduced from tomorrow (Wednesday) 22nd April, in line with normal opening hours. This decision has been kept under continual review in line with other councils and governmental direction, acknowledging an increased public awareness and adherence of Public Health Authority guidelines in recent weeks, and the longer-term health and wellbeing impact attributed to the extended period of lockdown.
Access will be permitted with strict social distancing measures and guidance in place, to enable all users to stay safe whilst exercising. This decision to reopen the parks will be continually monitored in line with social responsibility adherence, in conjunction with the PSNI.
As the Parks are for pedestrian access only, entrance can be gained through specific gates, and all adjoining car parks will remain closed. Under current national lockdown restrictions, it is important to note that, only local people walking or cycling to and from the parks should be using these areas for exercise.
To ensure the safety of all users the following activities will not be permitted; social gatherings, sunbathing, sitting on public benches, BBQ’s, picnics, or group games.
All play parks, caravan sites, outdoor gym equipment, golf courses, pitches and public toilets will remain closed. At this time, the council would like to remind residents that the Dog Control Orders will still be enforced, and owners are asked to please keep dogs on leads whilst in the parks.
To ensure the safety of council employees, users are asked not to directly approach council staff on-site at this time.
For further information please visit:
getactiveabc – https://getactiveabc.com/news/important-public-notice-faqs/
Council – https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/coronavirus/
PHA – https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus
I have paid for a birthday party what will happen to this payment?
You will be offered the opportunity to re-arrange the birthday party or a credit will be an offer to use towards another activity/booking when the facility re-opens.
Alternatively, you will be offered a refund; if you would like to request a refund please complete the form here
https://getactiveabc.com/news/important-public-notice-faqs/#refund
**** Please note: Unfortunately, our ability to process a cancellation/refund is very limited at the moment, but once we are operational again we will sort that out for you.
For further information please visit:
getactiveabc – https://getactiveabc.com/news/important-public-notice-faqs/
Council – https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/coronavirus/
PHA – https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus
I have paid for an activity/booking for an outdoor activity (including camping and Caravanning)
You will be offered the opportunity to re-arrange the activity/booking or a credit towards another activity/booking when the facility re-opens.
These include snow tubing, skiing, watersports and camping & caravaning.
Alternatively, you will be offered a refund; if you would like to request a refund please complete the form here
https://getactiveabc.com/news/important-public-notice-faqs/#refund
**** Please note: Unfortunately, our ability to process a cancellation/refund is very limited at the moment, but once we are operational again we will sort that out for you.
For further information please visit:
getactiveabc – https://getactiveabc.com/news/important-public-notice-faqs/
Council – https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/coronavirus/
PHA – https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus
Are the Council owned Golf courses closed to the public?
Yes, all Council owned golf courses are closed at the moment.
This decision will be reviewed as the situation changes and information will be posted as soon as possible.
For further information please visit:
getactiveabc – https://getactiveabc.com/news/important-public-notice-faqs/
Council – https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/coronavirus/
PHA – https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus
I have paid an annual fee to use a Council owned Golf Course what will happen to the payment ?
Your annual fee will be extended to include the period of time that the facility is closed; e.g. if your payment is due to expire in August and the closure lasts 2 months, then this will be adjusted to expire in October.
For further information please visit:
getactiveabc – https://getactiveabc.com/news/important-public-notice-faqs/
Council – https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/coronavirus/
PHA – https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus
I have a boat berthed at Kinnego Marina can I have access to it ?
Yes, owners have access to their boats if this is essential.
Boat owners need to remember that they need to lock the gates to the site when entering and leaving the premises.
The council is following advice from the Public Health Authority guidance relating to social distancing, owners are asked to observe this advice if you need to attend your boat for any reason.
However, please remember to stay home if you can and stay safe.
I have paid to berth my boat at Kinnego Marina what will happen to the payment?
Your berth payment will be extended to include the period of time that the facility is closed.
For further information please visit:
getactiveabc – https://getactiveabc.com/news/important-public-notice-faqs/
Council – https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/coronavirus/
PHA – https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus
I have paid for an annual parking pass to the outdoor spaces and I do not have access to them now, what will happen with this annual pass?
Your pass will be extended to include the period of time that the facility is closed.
For further information please visit:
getactiveabc – https://getactiveabc.com/news/important-public-notice-faqs/
Council – https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/coronavirus/
PHA – https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus
Can I still apply to ABC Sports Forum for a grant?
Applications will still be accepted but there will likely be a delay in processing them due to the uncertainty of approval meetings. Please note that applications for 19/20 should still be received by 30 April 2020 (however, exceptional circumstances will be considered).
I have paid for a Coach Education Course and it’s now postponed?
Your place will be carried over to the re-arranged course.
I have paid for a Senior Sports Award ticket and it’s now postponed?
Your ticket can be carried over to the re-arranged ceremony.
Unfortunately our ability to process a cancellation/refund is very limited at the moment but once we are operational again we will sort that out for you. In the meantime no direct debits/payments will be taken from your account for the period of the closures.
If you would like to request a refund please complete the form here
For more information and Advice: https://bit.ly/3dbujOU
Important Public Notice
To support the Government strategy in relation to Covid-19 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has taken the decision to close all its public buildings to the general public from tomorrow 18.03.20. This includes all Leisure, Sport and Recreation Centres, Community Centres, Tourism, Arts and Culture Facilities and all Town Halls.
The Council will endeavour to provide key services for the citizens of the Borough, and will work to maintain essential delivery to support the local community and businesses during this challenging time.
Application Processes
The three main Civic Buildings, The Palace Demesne Armagh, The Civic Building Banbridge, and the Civic Centre Craigavon will remain open to the public for priority services such as:
- Births, Deaths & Marriages
- Application processes including Planning, Building Control, Dog Licencing etc.
- Environmental Health queries
Access for the public to these buildings will be managed in line with Public Health Agency (PHA) guidance, and social distancing will apply.
Waste Collection & Environmental Services
- All household waste collections will function as normal, with Recycling Centres remaining open.
- Bins should be left out the night before collections as times of collections may vary. Bulky waste collection requests have now been suspended.
- Street cleansing may be impacted and we remind people to act responsibly.
Access to Public Areas
- All parks, open spaces and play parks will remain open for community health and wellbeing. However, bowling pavilions, outdoor pitches, tennis courts and changing areas will all close.
- All Public Toilets will be closed, with the exception of those available in public parks.
Conferences, Programmes & Events
- In the interest of public safety, all Council Conferences and events will be cancelled or postponed until further notice.
- All programmes delivered externally will be postponed until further notice.
Memberships & Swimming Lessons
- As our leisure and sports facilities will be closed, all ‘paid in full’ members will have their membership term extended to reflect the closure.
- All direct debit memberships will be suspended until further notice and where possible collections scheduled for the 1 and 15 April stopped.
- Direct debits collected by Pulse Fitness for Cascades Leisure Complex will be suspended as soon as possible and credit will be given to Members when the centres reopen.
- Direct Debits will not recommence until facilities are operational again and members have received the appropriate extensions to their membership.
- All centre programmes and courses such as swimming lessons will resume when facilities reopen.
Given the exceptional circumstances there may be an impact on service delivery, however every effort will be made to ensure continuity where possible.
For further information please telephone: 0300 0300 900
Email:
Log on to www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/coronavirus
More information: https://bit.ly/3b7fuex
MONEYPENNY’S FORGE OPEN DAY
Saturday 14th March, 11.00am – 3.30pm, Admission FREE
Dust off the cobwebs and Spring into Action at Moneypenny’s Forge. Come on and try fun free activities of all kinds featuring:
| · Blacksmithing | · Wood turning |
| · Farrier demonstration | · Fresh soda making |
| · Bushcraft | · Coracle display |
| · Archery | · Live spray art |
| · Bladesmithing | · Live music |
| · Leather work | · Face painting |
For further information or to book please contact:
Jonny Kerr, Moneypenny’s Forge, Horseshoe Lane, Portadown, BT62 3RS
