Fermanagh Lakeland Forum closes despite ‘call in’

THE COUNCIL has been accused of undermining local democracy by continuing with the closure of the Lakeland Forum on Wednesday, despite the decision to do so being ‘called in.’
The decision by our local councillors to give the £70 million redevelopment of the Enniskillen leisure centre – which has caused concern locally given the spiralling costs of the project – is to be revisited next week.
In mid-April, Fermanagh and Omagh Council voted in favour of all aspects of the planning for the major redevelopment of the 40-year-old Forum.
While the project received overwhelming support in the chamber, with only the UUP voting against it, its approval caused controversy in the local community.
Many rate payers expressed concern not only at the fact the budget was seemingly increased overnight by £13 million – with the revised £70 million budget announced to the public the day before the vote – but also because the plans will see the facility closing for at least three years.
It had previously been planned to close the leisure centre a number of times since the end of last year, however delays in the planning process had delayed the closure.
After the decision was passed on April 15, the Council announced the Forum would be finally closing on Wednesday this week, April 30.
The ‘Herald has now learned that there has been a ‘call in’ on the decision to approve the plans, and the Council has confirmed it will be “reconsidered” at the next full meeting on the Council, due to be held at Enniskillen Townhall next Tuesday night, May 6.
When asked if it would be putting a stay on the closure as a result of this call in, the Council confirmed the closure would be proceeding.
“The Fermanagh Lakeland Forum remains scheduled to close at 4pm on Wednesday 30 April 2025,” said a Council spokesman.
Cllr Victor Warrington, who is a member of the UUP who submitted the call in, said he felt proceeding with the closure before the decision could be revisited was “showing disrespect to the huge amount of individuals out there who put up a strong fight for them not to do it.”
“I know this has been a discussion with several people – what is the process now the decision has been called in – and the general feeling would be that the process should have been put on hold until the call in is heard at the Council meeting next Tuesday night,” said Cllr Warrington.
“It is a situation where they’re ignoring the democratic process? What difference was four or five days going to make?”
Cllr Warrington added that there had been “no mention” of the call in Council circles over the past week, which he suspects is because the majority of councillors are in favour of the project. He added that, ultimately, he does not expect he decision to be overturned next week.