New leisure complex in Braddan set to open in January

The new facility will be home to sports and health facilities

The doors of a new leisure complex in the east of the Isle of Man are set to be "thrown open" in January, its manager has said.

The Roundhouse project contains a cafe, playground, sports hall, nursery and health facilities.

Work on the project, which has seen costs rise by £3.4m, started in 2021.

Cassi McAllister said although the construction team had been dealing with "curveballs", such as access issues, bookings were already being made.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, she said it had been "great to offer up-and-coming sports" the chance to train in the "amazing facility".

A number of businesses are set to "open progressively" throughout January, with the dentist and pharmacy expected to start seeing patients at the end of that month, Ms McAllister said.

Some tenants have moved in to start fitting out their spaces at the facility, which also includes a village green and a 0.3-mile (500-metre) walking track, and recruitment for staff had been completed, she said.

Work on the project got underway in June 2021

The project had initially been set to cost £6m, but due to delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Brexit and unexpected issues with the building's design, increased funding of £3.4m was needed.

Braddan Commissioners had to be granted permission from the Department of Infrastructure to borrow the funds to complete the scheme, which was originally scheduled to open in August.

Proposals to charge a "special rate" to businesses to absorb the costs were not supported by the department.

The local authority has not confirmed if overall rates for next year will be affected.

Bookings for the sports facility and function room have already been taken

Commissioner Andrew Jessop said the team had "curated an unparalleled space that truly stands apart from any other".

The space was a "testament to our unwavering commitment to our community", he added.

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