Park upgrades pave way for new activity centre

The charity that runs Peterborough's Ferry Meadows said works being undertaken at its Lakeside area could bring it one step closer towards creating a new activity centre.

Nene Park Trust is carrying out upgrades to its pumping station and sewerage, and refurbishing a toilet block. It will also be creating further accessible parking spaces.

It said more fundraising was needed for its state-of-the-art indoor Lakeside Activity Centre project, but it hoped to start construction this year.

Director of operations and growth at Nene Park Trust, Andrew MacDermott, said: "We're excited to see these upgrades take shape and look forward to their completion, welcoming visitors to an even better Lakeside area in the near future."

Some of the work is being paid for by the government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Mr MacDermott added: "These improvements reflect the trust's commitment to enhancing facilities across our entire estate, ensuring high-quality, accessible spaces for everyone to enjoy."

The works began on Thursday, closing the Lakeside area toilet block until about March.

Nene Park Trust said it would also start work improving the Lakeside road, widening it in some places and improving drainage and surfacing.

Once complete, the Lakeside Activity Centre would contain an Olympic standard climbing facility, one of the country's largest Clip 'n Climb arenas, a toddler play area, cafe and spaces for community groups.

The trust said: "[It] will provide a much-needed venue for practice and competition in Peterborough and further afield, especially since Peterborough's 67-year-old climbing club lost its indoor climbing facility a few years ago."

The plans for the centre were approved by Peterborough City Council in 2021 despite hundreds of objections.

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