Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) has approved Lisburn City Council's (LCC) Stage Two application to construct the new facility in the County Antrim city as a "provisional preferred bidder".

Expected to cost around £8m, the new centre of excellence would offer both sports modern training and competition facilities with a significant grant aid contribution from SNI.

The complex is planned for a site adjacent to the Laurelhill Sports Zone at Laurelhill Community College, offering increased opportunities for local students.

LCC's chair of leisure services committee, David Archer, said: "This centre of excellence, if built, would provide opportunities for athletes and potential athletes from the complete beginner to the elite athlete, to have access to the very best facilities on offer in Northern Ireland."

SNI chief executive Eamonn McCartan added: "This programme is designed to provide world class major sporting facilities which will deliver an increase in standards of performance by local athletes and increase general participation in sport in Northern Ireland."

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