A new £22million Wellbeing Centre, the first in Northern Ireland to offer, health, leisure and library facilities under one roof, is opening its doors to the public on Tuesday, 27 May.
The new centre is a partnership between Belfast City Council, Belfast Health Trust and Belfast Education and Library Board and represents the biggest single investment in physical infrastructure by the council since the opening of the Waterfront Hall.
Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Jim Rodgers, who was shown round the Wellbeing Centre ahead of its opening said: “This is the first centre of its kind in Northern Ireland offering three different services, health, leisure and libraries under one roof.
“It represents a major investment in one of the most deprived areas of the city, and provides the people of that area with a facility worthy of the 21st century. It is a template for future services in Northern Ireland highlighting what can be done by joined up government.
“We are looking forward to the people of North Belfast enjoying the major improvement this Wellbeing centre represents for them and for all the people of Belfast.
”Wellbeing is about more than being physically well, it is about being well in mind and body, being able to enjoy life, taking part in social activities, keeping in touch with old and new friends, taking time out to just sit and enjoy a cup of coffee while reading the papers.
“This centre has everything we need to be well and Belfast City Council is committed to doing all it can to create a healthy city.”
The centre will be home to eight GP’s, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, facilities for older people, a 25metre swimming pool, fitness suite, and soft play area, and café, access to the internet, books, CD and DVD borrowing.
Events will also be organised in the centre on a regular basis including a senior citizens convention during the week of opening.
Anne Diamond from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said: “We are delighted that we will now be providing a range of local health and social care services under one roof, from this modern and convenient location at the heart the lower north Belfast community. “The new multi million pound state of the art Grove Centre offers a unique opportunity to provide health and social care services alongside leisure and library services. Patients and clients will be able to draw on the benefits of all three services in ways which have not previously been possible. BELB Chief Librarian Katherine McCloskey welcomed this important development for North Belfast and the new and exciting opportunities for a joined-up approach to public service.
“Libraries are ideally placed to promote and support personal and community development and wellbeing and the Grove Centre allows a range of providers to work closely together, under one roof, for everyone’s benefit”, she said.
“We have cooperated with Trust and City Council staff to ensure that the library provides facilities, information and activities to complement leisure and health services. Anyone using the Grove Centre can explore how the library caters for all ages and interests and is really all about ‘wellbeing’. Services include free internet access, lifelong learning facilities, music and DVDs, a special health and leisure section and lots of activities for children.”
Katherine added: “For the first time in Belfast a visit to the Health or Leisure Centre has an exciting new dimension - a world of fun, information and learning to explore. Library staff are delighted to offer this new experience to the people of North Belfast.”
