The new £8 million 3G football pitches that are replacing the Avoniel Leisure Centre are due to be complete in Autumn of this year.
Belfast City Council said work well underway with the construction of the new facility which will see the creation of a full size international standard pitch, five 5-a-side 3G pitches and one 3G 7-a-side pitch, along with changing facilities inside a main building.
It replaces the popular Avoniel Leisure Centre which was demolished last year.
The council said that the project is designed to address a lack of football pitches in East Belfast while also being able to provide the community with a new indoor space for their use.
The work so far has seen the site of the former leisure centre cleared, a new car park laid and the foundations and the steel structure of the main building have been put in place.
A Belfast City Council spokesperson said: “The £8 million redevelopment of Avoniel Leisure Centre is progressing well, with construction on schedule and works due to be completed by autumn 2021.
“The project aims to address the lack of outdoor 3G pitches in the area, while also providing flexible indoor space for the community. Once completed, Avoniel will boast one full size eleven-a-side IFA intermediate standard soccer pitch, a seven-a-side pitch, three covered and two uncovered five-a-side 3G pitches.
“Work to-date has seen the site completely cleared, with the foundations and steel structure of the main building now complete. In addition, the canopy for the covered five-a-side pitches has been erected, utilities have been installed and the new car park surface has been laid.
“Over the next few months works to the main building will progress including internal and external blockwork, cladding and the roof installation. In parallel, the new 3G pitches, terrace spectator seating, perimeter fencing and floodlighting will be installed.
“The redevelopment of Avoniel is one of seven new centres that will be constructed as part of our £105 million citywide Leisure Transformation Programme. For more information visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/transformingleisure.”
