Construction work on the new leisure centre in Millom has celebrated another important milestone - with a steel-signing taking place (Thursday 11 September).
The steel-signing is the equivalent of a traditional ‘topping-out’ ceremony to mark the completion of the building’s steel frame.
The new activity and leisure facility also known as Activating Community Health is one of four projects that make up the Millom Town Deal which secured £20.6m from the UK Government’s Town’s Fund alongside match funding.
The Copeland Community Fund has provided £1 million towards the project and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has provided a £3.1 million grant, as part of its investment in supporting permanent and sustainable change in Millom and all its site communities. Funding has also been provided by South Copeland GDF Community Partnership, CGP, Millom School and Millom Town Council.
David Savage, the Chair of the Millom Town Deal Board, expressed his delight:
"The steel signing is another significant step forward for the leisure centre.
“Work is progressing well, and it is important that we celebrate these important milestones. It shows that we are making great progress and are now turning our ambitious plans into reality.
“We now have Millom Town Deal Ambassadors to help support the projects and we were delighted to be joined by students, who are part of our schools’ ambassador programme, at the steel signing event. They are our town’s future and it’s important that they are involved.”
The project will offer a swimming pool, sports hall and fitness studios within the setting of a community and leisure hub.
It aims to improve levels of community health and wellbeing by providing residents with a modern, multi-purpose and fully inclusive facility.
In addition, it would attract visitors to the town which will also support the long-term financial sustainability of this new leisure facility alongside increased footfall and a boost to overall levels of spending within local businesses.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer added:
“The new centre will include a swimming pool, gym, sports halls, and fitness studios, offering a good mix of physical activities for all ages. It will also provide dedicated space for health services and to support residents access essential wellness support locally, fostering a healthier and more connected community.
“Designed with accessibility in mind, it will be a truly inclusive space.”
Jamie Reed, NDA Director of Socio-Economics, said:
“We’re delighted to see the delivery of improved leisure facilities in Millom reach this important milestone. The new complex will provide a significant boost to the health and wellbeing of the residents of Millom and surrounding areas.
“The NDA group’s investment in the Millom Town Deal - including direct funding from the NDA and through Nuclear Waste Services via the Copeland Community Fund and the South Copeland GDF Community Partnership – is another example of partnership working delivering positive, permanent and sustainable change, whilst helping to leverage millions of pounds of inward investment into our site communities.”
Emma Moynihan, Copeland Community Fund Manager added:
“Copeland Community Fund was pleased to contribute £1m to support Millom’s new activity & leisure facilities. We aim to ‘Invest in local people, economy and places to create more opportunities and better lives. So, we are overjoyed to see the progress being made as the project moves a step closer to completion. Millom residents and visitors can enjoy the new centre and all it has to offer.”
Work continues on other parts of the Town Deal projects and momentum continues to build across this transformational programme.
There will be further updates and information on other town deal schemes in due course.
Photo Credit: Stuart Walker.