Work gets underway this week on improvement works at Hammond’s Pond in Carlisle.
The works will include a new outdoor fitness area complete with safer surfacing. The work will cost around £35,000 and are being funded by Section 106 developer contributions from a nearby private residential development.
Contractors, working on Carlisle City Council’s behalf, will be on site for several weeks. However, the council says efforts will be made to minimise disruption to park users.
Cllr Elizabeth Mallinson, portfolio holder for communities, health and wellbeing, said: “The installation of outdoor fitness equipment has been a joint goal of the council and the Friends of Hammond’s Pond for a number of years.
“The existing kickaround area, which is approximately 25 years old and reaching the end of its life, provides an ideal site as it is easily accessed via existing paths and a base for the new equipment is already in place.
“The style of equipment to be installed was determined by a public consultation carried out in autumn 2021, residents chose to have a range of more traditional items, resembling those found in gyms, as opposed to cross training equipment or an obstacle course.”
The design incorporates items which will allow people to exercise outside for free.
The city council is currently undertaking the removal of the old equipment, during which time the area will be temporarily closed off.
The Kompan Scotland Ltd installation team will follow on from city council staff next week to install the new equipment, after which a specialist surfacing contractor will occupy the site to lay the new rubber safer surfacing.
The construction phase for the project is likely to take around three to four weeks from the initial closure. However. it is weather dependent and may be extended if delays are incurred.
