New proposals to give Maryport a boost after plans for a swimming pool had to be ditched have had a huge amount of feedback.
Over 500 people have responded to the new schemes, brought in after Cumberland Council was forced to shelve the idea of creating a new pool at the Wave Centre as its projected operational costs spiralled.
It was estimated the authority would have to find £500,000 a year to run a swimming pool.
It drew up alternatives for people to consider including:
- Reconfiguring The Wave to add a new adventure play area, improve Clip ‘n Climb, create a bigger gym and, depending on the option chosen, studio space and multi-purpose rooms
- Enhancing the area around the harbourside to create a new outdoor park and event venue, market square and adventure play area, complete with food, drink and retail units, and a splash park or skate park
- Improving the Promenade by building a new beachside shop, café and potential outside event space
Nearly 160 members of the public attended two drop-in events at Maryport Town Hall, while 345 people have completed a survey.
The paper copies of the survey are being processed this week, the council said, and will be added to those completed online.
The information will then be used to inform the next stage of the process – working with architects and planners to cost the various options and come up with a new masterplan.
Cumberland Council leader Mark Fryer said: “While the results of the survey are still being examined, what is clear is the enthusiasm from participants who want to see more really good things happen in Maryport. In particular, there is a lot of love for the Promenade and harbourside, and we want to see how we can enhance those areas.
“We are already transforming Christ Church into a new museum, regenerating the high street with new shopfronts and accommodation, creating a new gallery and bringing the historic Carlton building back to life. We are also making the area locals know as la’al harbour more accessible and designing new wayfinder schemes for the town to tie all of these great projects together.
“The new plans for Maryport will build on all of this and I look forward to seeing the next steps by the Council’s regeneration team.”
The schemes will be financed by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund.
