LAKESIDE ACTIVITY CENTRE PLANS REVISED

You can have your say on revised plans for the long awaited Lakeside Activity Centre at a  drop-in session next month.

The exciting new indoor leisure and sporting venue will still offer year round fun but the original plan which included a large scale climbing wall has had to change.

Nene Park Trust want to see what local people think and you can pop in to see the revised plans and talk to the team on Monday April 13 from 4-7pm at The Lakeside Hub in Ferry Meadows, next to Nene Outdoors and the Lakeside Kitchen and Bar. Free parking will be available.

Although planning permission was granted back in 2021 for an activity centre on the old Lakeside car park in Ferry Meadows, the Trust has faced delays in getting construction started due to rising costs and a changing climbing market. The team has now developed some exciting and practical revisions to the original plans, which provide for a simpler, lower building with a smaller footprint. These plans will be submitted to Peterborough City Council Planning Department in April.

With a primary focus on bouldering, now the most popular form of climbing, the centre will offer widely accessible activity to all ages and skill levels. Everyone from beginners to aspiring Olympians can use it, have fun, train and compete. When the redesigned tower is added to the building as phase two of the plans, lead climbing (rope climbing) will be added to the climbing offer. The centre will also include a small café, accessible toilets and changing rooms.

The project has already secured significant investment, including from the UK Government’s Towns Fund programme, and through Nene Park Trust’s own resources. The Trust is in advanced conversations with experienced climbing centre operators on the running of the centre. Subject to approval of the revised plans and the remaining funding being secured, construction will begin in autumn 2026 with the opening date for the first phase of the centre in autumn 2027.

Matthew Bradbury, Chief Executive of Nene Park Trust commented: “We’re confident that these revised plans for the activity centre at Ferry Meadows offer an exciting development for the Park and the city of Peterborough.

“As a charity, our objective is to provide recreation for the public through the Park and its facilities, both for Peterborough’s residents and all our visitors and through the activity centre we would be able to offer indoor recreation, in all weathers, all year round. Climbing – especially bouldering - is a growing sport across the UK – and as it now features in the Olympics it’s great that we can support aspiring climbers of all ages fulfil their dreams.

“We’ve listened very carefully to all feedback provided on our original plans and we feel that a smaller, more affordable, less intrusive building, will satisfy many of our regular visitors while still delivering a huge amount of impact and fun.”