3 days ago
Pools at leisure centre attacked during race riots to reopen in ‘coming weeks'
A leisure centre damaged during last month's outbreak of violence says it hopes to reopen its pools to the public in the coming weeks.
A fire broke out at Larne Leisure Centre following vandalism at the facility in July.
Masked individuals smashed windows at the leisure centre and set fires outside which spread inside.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said the facility had been designated as an emergency rest centre for those in urgent need following disturbances in nearby Ballymena.
Violence erupted in Ballymena following a peaceful protest over the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl in the Clonavon Terrace area.
The disturbances in the Co Antrim town continued for several nights and spread to other areas including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine.
Following the attack, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council initially expected the leisure centre would be out of action for several months.
But the council now says it is working to fully reopen the centre on a phased basis.
A spokesperson for the council said: 'Damaged caused to Larne Leisure Centre following the recent unrest, has impacted everyone in the community, especially our young people as the schools break for the Summer.
"The Council is working hard to reopen the centre as quickly as possible.
PSNI say Portadown riots had 'more co-ordination' as mutual aid to be deployed this weekend
'The Café has reopened to the public, Larne Swim Club continue to utilise the pool for training, and plans are in place to fully reopen the pools for public use in the coming weeks (exact dates to be confirmed).
'In the meantime, arrangements are currently in place to facilitate the planned Children's Summer Scheme at Larne Grammar School.'
