Derry celebrates golden anniversary of Templemore Sports Complex
Council looks ahead to £100m investment in new facility
PICTURED ABOVE: Included, from left, are Barry O'Hagan, Head of Community Development & Leisure, Cathy Farren, Leisure Area manager, Sean Doherty, Leisure Area manager, Steve Setterfield, Strategic Leisure Project manager, and Simon Doran, Project Manager Capital Investment. (Photo: Lorcan Doherty Photography)
Derry City and Strabane District Council have marked the 50th anniversary of Templemore Sports Complex, celebrating half a century of sport, health, and community life at one of the city’s most cherished public facilities.
Since opening its doors in 1976, Templemore has been at the heart of community sport and wellbeing, welcoming generations of families, clubs, schoolchildren, and athletes from across Derry and the wider North West.
From swimming lessons and club training to fitness classes, and countless community events, the Complex has played a defining role in shaping the physical and social life of the city for five decades.
In recognising this important milestone, Council hosted an anniversary celebration event, for former and current staff to share memories, and acknowledge the lasting impact the facility has had on their lives. The occasion also provided a timely moment to look ahead to the future, as the city prepares for the next chapter in its leisure provision.
The 50th anniversary coincides with major progress on the Templemore Strategic Leisure Project, a transformative circa £100 million development set to replace the existing Complex with a state of the art, multi facility sports and wellness destination for the region.
The proposed project will include a landmark mix of indoor and outdoor amenities, including a 50m, 8 lane pool, leisure and toddler pools, family flumes, international standard sports hall, a state of the art fitness suite, wellness spa, squash courts, floodlit 3G pitches, upgraded running track, and extensive walking trails.
The new facility is being designed to industry leading Passivhaus net zero standards, ensuring sustainability remains central to its delivery.
The project has reached several significant milestones in recent months, including the appointment of an Integrated Consultant Team and progress on the formal options appraisal, alongside preparatory work on land disposal and concept design development. The new centre is currently targeted to be operational by 2030/31, subject to statutory approvals.
The Mayor of Derry & Strabane, Councillor Ruairi McHugh, with Bernie McGivern and Catherine O'Connor, staff members when the Templemore Sports Complex first opened in 1976, as they cut the 50th birthday cake. Included is Cathy Farren, Leisure Area manager.
“As we reflect on the past, we are also looking with great excitement to the future. The new Templemore Strategic Leisure Project represents one of the most ambitious and transformative investments ever made in local sport and wellbeing. It will deliver a world class facility that meets the needs of our growing communities while setting new standards for sustainable design. I’m delighted that this anniversary allows us to both honour an important legacy and share our ambition for the next 50 years of leisure provision in this city.”
The anniversary event brought together former and current staff to celebrate Templemore’s long-standing contribution to public health and community cohesion.