Packed out play sessions, a new calendar of fitness classes and lots of fabulous feedback - they have all kick started the new era of one of Maryport’s most prominent attractions.
The reopening of Maryport Activity Centre has been marked with a Valentine’s Day ribbon cutting, bringing together the partners who have transformed it into a bigger, brighter destination on the town’s historic harbourside. The event kickstarts a week of celebrations at the centre including free sessions and family activities.
Children from Grasslot Infants School were invited along to try out the new facilities, along with former Netherhall School student Taylor Stables who was the person who came up with the new name for the building which was formerly known as The Wave. Young people in Maryport were consulted to see if they thought there was a title which better represented the venue’s future.
Representatives from Cumberland Council, which managed the project, social enterprise GLL, who operate the Centre on behalf of the Council, along with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), who provided the funding, and members of many community organisations, came together to see what has been achieved.
The gathering was in addition to a visit by local dignitaries, GLL, MHCLG and members of the business community a couple of weeks ago.
The work on Maryport Activity Centre is part of the £12 million regeneration of Maryport and Cumberland Council is managing the regeneration projects. Thomas Armstrong Construction, of Flimby, was the main contractor, working with architects at Align Property Partners who have offices in Cockermouth and Kendal.
Maryport Activity Centre now has a bespoke adventure play area, a large gym and fitness studio, with changing rooms and showers, a more exciting Clip ‘n Climb attraction, and a range of multifunctional spaces perfect for children’s parties and community groups, as well as a café and catering facilities.
Bookings are now being taken for the community rooms, and membership packages are available for the fitness facilities.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Councillor Mark Fryer, said:
“It has been fantastic to see how popular the new attractions have been at Maryport Activity Centre. This really is a venue that Maryport can be proud of. It complements the new Shiver Me Timbers play area and skate park on the Promenade perfectly in terms of the age range it caters for and will be a year-round destination for locals and visitors alike.”
"We are thrilled to bring these exciting new features to the Maryport community," said Tom Rice, Cumberland Partnership Manager for GLL. "Our goal has always been to improve the health and well-being of local communities, and with the enhanced facilities at the Maryport Activity Centre, we can offer even more opportunities for people to get active, try new things, and spend quality time together."
For more information on all Maryport’s regeneration work visit www.cumberland.gov.uk/maryport
A link to a YouTube video showcasing the adventure play design is available here: https://youtu.be/QlHrm67VFBQ