£2.5 million social enterprise adventure centre to create 50 new jobs

Lisburn-based Social Enterprise Employers For Childcare is delighted to launch a £2.5 million build-project of a new family adventure centre called High Rise at its existing premises on Altona Road which will create up to 50 new jobs.  High Rise will incorporate a Clip ‘n Climb experience, only the second of its kind in Northern Ireland, along with a soft play area, sensory room and a number of spaces for birthday parties and corporate room hire.

High Rise is designed to be inclusive and accessible for all and will feature an innovative sensory room and quiet room benefiting a range of users, including children with additional needs, as well as a Changing Places toilet.  As part of a Social Enterprise, any profits from High Rise will be invested in Employers For Childcare’s charity which supports working parents.

Speaking at the launch, Employers For Childcare’s Chair, Michael Stevenson commented: “Today marks a real milestone for our organisation as we announce details of this exciting new project. High Rise will be unique in offering a facility that caters for all families including those with children with additional needs. This has been at the core of our mission in developing this project and reflects our ethos as a Social Enterprise and charity”.

Shane Connolly, Company Director with main contractors Connolly & Fee commented: “Connolly & Fee are delighted to have been appointed as main contractor on this exciting and innovative project for Employers For Childcare. We look forward to forging a strong, successful working relationship with the client and to delivering an exemplar scheme for both them and the local community.”

Attending the launch, Councillor Uel Mackin, Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, which approved the planning application for the project, said: “High Rise represents an innovative addition to the wide range of leisure facilities already on offer within the Lisburn area and will play an important role in bringing visitors to the city. It is our mission to ensure Lisburn is an attractive place for families to live, work and play and High Rise will make a valuable contribution to this.”

Construction work for High Rise got underway earlier this month, with the centre due to open later in 2019.  The new jobs within High Rise will include a mixture of full and part-time roles and will include managers, supervisors, activity instructors and café/catering staff.  Recruitment will commence in the Spring and anyone with an interest in applying should email: hr@employersforchildcare.org.

Further information

1. High Rise will be a 10,000 sq foot, two storey family adventure centre incorporating:
   • Clip ‘n Climb with over 30 climbing challenges
   • Soft play area
   • Sensory room
   • Quiet room
   • Party rooms
   • Café
   • Changing Places (accessible toilet facilities)