Council appoints Morgan Sindall Construction for new Marina Centre in Great Yarmouth

Construction of Great Yarmouth’s exciting new state-of-the-art Marina Centre will soon get underway on the famous Golden Mile, as Great Yarmouth Borough Council appoints Morgan Sindall Construction as the main contractor.

The council’s £26m investment will be a major boost to the economy and community for decades to come, acting as a catalyst for potential further investment and seafront regeneration, whilst supporting health and well-being for the whole borough.

Following site set-up and groundworks in the coming weeks, piling of the foundations will commence this winter and the steel structure will go up in spring, with cladding going on during summer and internal works and fit-out then getting underway. It is scheduled to open in summer 2022.

Cllr Carl Smith and Cllr Trevor Wainwright, leaders of the main political groups, said: “The new Marina Centre will benefit the visitor economy and borough as both a year-round anchor seafront attraction and an important community hub for the promotion of indoor and outdoor physical activity.
Despite the challenges of coronavirus, which has unavoidably impacted timescales on such a large and complex project, this facility is important to Great Yarmouth’s recovery journey, supporting both economic and physical health, and the council has worked hard to keep driving forward project development and delivery.
With the site cleared and the beautifully-decorated hoardings in place, the appointment of the main contractor is an exciting milestone and people can look forward to the state-of-the-art landmark facility taking shape.”

The construction will bolster the local economy, with 75 per cent of the project’s supply chain being drawn from SME companies in Great Yarmouth. It will also create training and employment opportunities for people living locally.

During the development, Morgan Sindall Construction and its supply chain will provide real-world training for Great Yarmouth apprentices, with around 182 weeks of training being provided for young people during the life of the project.

The scheme will also create 10 work experience placements and three mentorships for young people progressing careers in the sector, while four placements will be created for people who are out of work, to provide them the opportunity to refresh their skill-sets, gain current experience, and learn more about career pathways in the construction industry.

Alister Broadberry, Morgan Sindall Construction’s Eastern Counties area director, said: “We’re pleased and proud to have been appointed to this significant scheme which will transform the health and leisure facilities available for people living across Great Yarmouth – bolstering well-being and creating a brilliant, state-of-the-art centre for people across the borough.
We’re committed to delivering outstanding developments that enrich and support our communities and we look forward to working closely with our local supply chain and creating a number of new roles and apprenticeships on this project – leaving a positive lasting legacy within the Great Yarmouth community.”

The project is funded by Great Yarmouth Borough Council, plus £2.5m secured from the Government’s Getting Building Fund, via New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, £1.6m from Sport England, and £500,000 from Pooled Business Rates.

Sport England Director of Property, Charles Johnston, said: “It is fantastic to see the start of construction on what will be a life-changing development for residents of Great Yarmouth.
With funding support from Sport England as part of our continued work to help build more spaces and places which will help the nation to be active, the development of the Marina Centre will help those of all ages and abilities find a way to be active for generations to come.”

C-J Green, chairman of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Our visitor economy recovery plan identified the need to attract holidaymakers outside of the peak summer season and the new Marina Centre on Great Yarmouth seafront will help draw people to the area throughout the year and increase its economic resilience.
Following the confirmation of Government funding for the Third River Crossing, this announcement is another massive lift for this part of our east coast and demonstrates the ambitions of this region to compete with the best and attract new investment.”

The new Marina Centre will be a truly year-round anchor attraction, including a six-lane 25m pool with full disabled access and suitable for competitions, 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 100-station health and fitness gym with views to the sea, four-court multi-purpose sports hall, indoor climbing zone for all ages, a café with fabulous views to the beach, and accessible multi-use flexible community spaces that can be used for a wide range of activities and services.