On-site works for new Marina Centre to start in Great Yarmouth

Great Yarmouth Borough Council's once-in-a-generation £26m investment will be a major year-round boost to the economy and community for decades to come, acting as a catalyst for potential further investment, whilst supporting health and well-being across the borough. 

The new Marina Centre will create a truly year-round anchor attraction on the Golden Mile, including a six-lane 25m pool with full disabled access and suitable for competitions and galas, a confidence water area and learner pool with moveable floor, leisure water with fun play features, two water flumes and a splash pad.

The complex will also be equipped with a health suite with sauna, steam and spa, 100-station health and fitness gym with views to the sea, four-court multi-purpose sports hall, fitness and spin studios, indoor climbing zone for all ages, and a café with fabulous views to the beach.

To pave the way for this exciting new beginning, the council's demolition contractor McFletch is scheduled to move onto site on Monday. After two weeks of site set-up, installation of hoardings and mobilisation activity, the site is scheduled to be levelled within three months to enable construction to commence in late spring. Material from the old centre will be re-used as part of the groundworks. The new complex is scheduled to open during summer 2021.

During the works, plans are in place to minimise any temporary impact on the seafront, which is already significantly reduced as the new centre is being built on the site of the old one. In addition, the wooden hoardings along the whole Marine Parade frontage will be decorated with a beautiful artwork telling the story of the redevelopment project and the seafront itself, including lovely photos from across the decades.

Cllr Carl Smith and Cllr Trevor Wainwright, leaders of the main political groups, said: "Following significant project development, the start of on-site works is hugely exciting as the council continues to drive forward this once-in-a-generation investment for the borough. The impressive new Marina Centre will be a game-charger, acting as both a catalyst for potential further investment and an important hub to support community health, well-being and fitness. 

"The old Marina Centre was great in its day but has come to the end of its life, and its redevelopment is an exciting new beginning as part of our regeneration ambitions for the seafront and wider borough. This is about the future: the sort of facility we want our children and grandchildren to have and enjoy. 

"Over the coming months, we're sure that residents and visitors will watch with interest as the site is carefully levelled and cleared, opening up long-hidden views, and the new state-of-the-art landmark facility takes shape, benefitting the seafront and whole borough for up to 40 years."

For more information about the project, including a Q&A, artist's impressions and walk-through video, please visit www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/golden-mile