£2.3 million plans for Maryport’s Wave Centre revealed

A £2.3 million plan to upgrade Maryport’s Wave Centre – without a swimming pool – has been revealed.

Cumberland Council is applying to make changes to centre, including a new adventure play centre for young children, refurbishment of the Clip n’ Climb attraction, new studio spaces, a community meeting space, party rooms and a bigger gym.

Outside, proposals include a new bike hub with e-bike charging facilities and storage and landscaping.

The entrance area will be improved and staff offices would be moved upstairs to free up more space on the ground floor.

The wider project plans include a splash park, a bespoke outdoor event space on the harbourside suitable for al fresco performances or markets, improvements to the Shiver Me Timbers playground, and a new Promenade café, beach shop and a bike hub.

The authority said they have been designed to include something for every age group, and would have a new wayfinding scheme to link them all together.

The £2.3 million changes to The Wave are part of wider £5.2 million investment plans for Maryport which aim to enhance and develop three of its biggest assets – the town’s high street, harbour and promenade.

If all goes to plan, the developments will be completed by summer 2024.

Before work can begin, the town-wide masterplan has to be approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities which is providing the funding for the project. The planning application is being submitted now so that the council can get contractors on site as soon as possible, it said.

Original plans to revamp the Wave Centre included the installation of a swimming pool, but that was shelved in April after it was revealed it would be too expensive to maintain in the long-term.

Spiralling costs and energy price rises were to blame, said the authority. Councillors said they were left with no option other than to come up with a plan B as they were warned potential subsidies for the building could reach £500,000 a year.

Cumberland Council leader Mark Fryer said: “This is the next step in this exciting new investment masterplan for Maryport. By submitting this planning application now we are well placed to start work on site as soon as we hear what we hope will be positive news from the Government.

“The new Shipping Brow Gallery will open in a few weeks, the contractors are on site at The Carlton and Christ Church, shopfronts are being upgraded, new homes created, and the new Boardwalk creating a fabulous accessible route – there is loads going on in Maryport.”