The redevelopment of Dundonald International Ice Bowl has entered a significant new stage, with construction activity now progressing on one of Northern Ireland’s largest leisure infrastructure projects. 

Owned and operated by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, the Ice Bowl has served generations of visitors since opening in 1986. Today, however, the landmark facility is undergoing a major transformation designed to secure its future whilst creating a modern leisure destination capable of meeting changing community needs for decades to come. 

The redevelopment is being delivered through a phased approach to allow parts of the facility to remain operational throughout construction. The strategy has enabled the council to maintain access to key services whilst progressing extensive demolition, construction and refurbishment works across the site. 

The project centres on the creation of a new state-of-the-art leisure complex featuring an Olympic-sized ice rink, modern bowling facilities, upgraded family entertainment areas and significantly enhanced visitor amenities. Sustainability and accessibility have also been key drivers throughout the design process, with the new facility intended to deliver improved environmental performance alongside a better customer experience. 

Construction officially commenced in 2025 following the appointment of Heron Bros as the main contractor. The company, which has delivered numerous high-profile projects across Ireland and the UK, is leading delivery of the redevelopment programme on behalf of the council. 

Announcing the start of construction, Alderman Amanda Grehan, Chair of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Communities and Wellbeing Committee, said: “This is a hugely exciting milestone for the Dundonald International Ice Bowl redevelopment project and a major investment in the future of leisure, health and wellbeing for our residents and visitors.” 

The investment reflects a growing recognition of the wider role community leisure infrastructure plays in supporting public health, social inclusion and local economic activity. Facilities such as Dundonald International Ice Bowl are increasingly expected to deliver far more than sport and recreation alone, providing community spaces that support wellbeing, participation and engagement across all age groups. 

The redevelopment has also become a valuable showcase for construction careers and skills development. Earlier this year, the project featured as part of Open Doors 2026, an initiative designed to give students and jobseekers access to live construction sites and provide greater awareness of career opportunities across the sector. 

Launching the initiative, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: “The construction sector offers a wide range of rewarding and diverse career opportunities which are vital to supporting economic growth and delivering major infrastructure projects across the region.” 

The inclusion of the Ice Bowl project within the programme highlights its significance not only as a leisure development but also as an example of the skills, engineering expertise and supply chain collaboration required to deliver complex public infrastructure schemes. 

According to project information published by the council and Dundonald International Ice Bowl, construction is being carefully phased to minimise disruption wherever possible. Existing facilities have been reconfigured during the programme, with operational arrangements regularly updated to ensure continued access for visitors whilst major works progress. 

Heron Bros has described the redevelopment as an opportunity to deliver a modern facility that reflects the importance of the venue within Northern Ireland’s leisure landscape. In a statement issued following appointment to the project, the company said it was “delighted to be involved in the redevelopment of this iconic facility”. 

The scale of investment also reflects wider ambitions for regeneration across the borough. Alongside improving leisure provision, the project is expected to support local employment, generate economic activity throughout the construction phase and strengthen Dundonald’s position as a regional destination for sport and family entertainment. 

As work continues, the redevelopment remains one of the most visible examples of public investment currently taking place within Northern Ireland’s leisure sector. The combination of modern sporting facilities, enhanced accessibility, improved sustainability and long-term community benefit has positioned the scheme as a flagship project for the region. 

For Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, the redevelopment represents far more than a refurbishment programme. It is a long-term investment in community infrastructure designed to ensure Dundonald International Ice Bowl continues serving residents and visitors for generations to come. 

With construction progressing through the next phase of delivery, the transformation of one of Northern Ireland’s best-known leisure facilities is now becoming increasingly visible, bringing the vision of a modernised Ice Bowl closer to reality.