THE iconic exterior wall panels from the old Andersonstown Leisure Centre are set to be restored and take pride of place once again in the heart of Andytown.
The original leisure centre was designed by architect Daniel J McRandal and built in 1979. Its exterior was memorable for its sculpted concrete panels which dominated the facade of the building.
Standing four metres high on the outside of the building they featured quasi-Celtic symbols.
The old leisure centre closed in 2017 to make way for the new state-of-the-art Andersonstown Leisure Centre which reopened in 2020 following a £25m investment.
However, during demolition, parts of the iconic decorative exterior wall was retained and have since been stored at Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh in Ballymurphy.
Now the Andersonstown News can exclusively reveal that plans are underway for the famous wall panels to be included in an ongoing redevelopment and extension of Andersonstown Social Club (PD).
Stevie Corr, who was a councillor at the time the old leisure centre was demolished, explained: "I was a councillor at the time and asked about salvaging the iconic panels. They weigh over a tonne each and we transported them over to Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh in Ballymurphy.
How the panels looked on the old Andersonstown Leisure Centre
"The plan was to put them up outside the school with the message 'Fáilte go dtí Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh' and paint them the original colours of the Book of Kells which is what they are based on.
"That plan didn't come to fruition. There was also interest from An Chultúrlann and Féile an Phobail which also didn't result in anything.
"I come and check on them a few times a year. Although they look in a bad way with moss and stuff, they haven't deteriorated in quality. They just need cleaned up.
"I am delighted that they will soon be back in Andersonstown where they belong."
Marty Lynch from the PD, with Stevie Corr, Principal of Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh, Pilib Mistéil, and architect Ciarán Robinson
Ciarán Robinson, Design and Build contractor for the PD redevelopment project, said: "When we were putting redevelopment plans for the PD together we were looking for some inspiration for outside the building and what would give it connection to the local community.
"I knew the panels were preserved and thought they would be ideal. I managed to find out where they were kept at the school, went up and surveyed them. They are now included in the plans for the new entrance."
Marty Lynch from the Andersonstown Social Club said the new plans for the PD are all about giving something back to the local community.
One of the iconic panels that will take pride of place outside the Andersonstown Social Club
"It is all about bringing some of the original features back of what was a prime and local site back to reality," he said. "It is preserving part of the history of Andersonstown. We are very proud to restore it. So many people will recognise it from the old leisure centre.
"Many people probably don't know it was designed based on the Book of Kells.
"The PD is all about community involvement and this is part of the PD giving back something to the community."
