Cumberland Council has confirmed that The Sands Centre pantomime and autumn events programme will not go ahead as planned.
The programme push-back has been caused by the storm damage earlier this year. This has had a significant impact on the work programme.
The work programme for the removal of RAAC panels from The Sands Centre auditorium roof had to be extended after Storm Éowyn damaged the temporary canopy installed as part of the RAAC replacement. Since then, contractors have been making the structure safe, as well as reprogramming and redesigning the works.
Before the storm in January this year, the council had aimed to have the roof works completed by late spring 2025. With internal improvements completed over the summer followed by a new full programme of events starting in autumn 2025.
The damage to the temporary roof has pushed the programme back and works are now planned to be completed over autumn and early winter. The events programme is hoped to restart in early 2026.
Approximately 200 tonnes of RAAC concrete will be removed from the project and delivered in 20 tonne wagons to a local recycling yard where it will be crushed and mixed in to make ballast for future construction projects.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said:
“Our project team and contractor has had to face several challenges and the storm in January had a major impact on the completion of the necessary works. The team worked tirelessly to deal with the storm damage.
“The Sands is the region’s premier venue and the investment in the new roof and the works planned for the auditorium, will ensure it is the venue of choice for our residents and wider audiences.”
Following the temporary closure of the auditorium, GLL, who manage the venue on the council’s behalf moved their classical concert programme to the sports hall within The Sands.
In addition to the removal and replacement of the RAAC panels, the council is also undertaking some additional internal improvements to the auditorium including a full replacement of the customer seating and upgrades to the back of house facilities.
As part of the roof replacement, several associated works will also be carried out.
These include upgrading the ventilation system (which involves visually altering the roof profile by removing the plenums), enhancing the lighting system, and upgrading the fire alarm system.
Additionally, the roof access will be improved to facilitate future maintenance of the equipment located on the roof.
The temporary closure of the events space to allow the works to be undertaken does not impact on the day to day running of the main leisure centre.
The new main Sands Centre building’s leisure provision is unaffected, which includes the pools, gym, studios and sports hall.
For events information, visit thesandscentre.co.uk