A WEST Cumbrian activity centre will close at the end of the month to allow 'exciting' improvements to take place at the venue.

Maryport Activity Centre, formerly known as the Wave, is to temporarily close from Sunday, May 26 so it can undergo a major refurbishment.

The project will include a new adventure play centre for young children, improvements to the clip n’ climb attraction, new multipurpose studio spaces, a community meeting space, party rooms and a better gymnasium.

Outside there will be a new bike hub, along with more attractive landscaping. The entrance area will be improved and the ground floor layout amended to make space for these new facilities.

Planning permission has already been granted for the scheme and Thomas Armstrong Group, of Flimby, and the design team from Align Property Partners in Cockermouth, have the contract to complete the works.

The aim is to reopen the building again in December 2024.

This is all part of the £12million regeneration of Maryport and funding for this project has been provided by the Government’s Future High Street Fund.

All regular users of the building, including the various community groups which use the facilities, have been notified by the management company GLL, the council said.

The name change came about as a result of a request from Maryport’s Future Town Board and local schoolchildren came up with a title which better reflects the building’s use. As it is being done at the same time as the refurbishment, that means there is no additional cost.

Cumberland Council is managing the Wave project, and Maryport’s wider investment. Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said: “I cannot wait to see the finished results of the transformation of Maryport Activity Centre.

“Public consultation showed there was a real desire for more family-friendly attractions in the town and this, along with the new splash park and skate and bike park, will really address that.”

Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s executive member for vibrant and healthy places, added: “Once the improvements are made to the harbourside and promenade, the new Maritime Museum in Christ Church opens, and the new entertainment venue at the former Carlton cinema are completed, Maryport is going to be an even better place to live, work and visit.”

Tom Rice, Cumberland partnership manager for GLL, which runs the venue on behalf of Cumberland Council, said: “We are sorry for the inconvenience this closure will cause regular users this summer but we are sure everyone will love the finished result.

"We’re really excited about seeing existing users making the most of the new facilities, and welcoming lots of new visitors too.”