Steel signing ceremony marks milestone for Marina Centre redevelopment

Currently undergoing a £26 million major redevelopment, the new community leisure complex has reached the commencement of installation of the steel work before the cladding and brickwork is added.

Local lad Charlie's drawing of what he was most excited about doing at the new Marina Centre once it is open, which was swimming with friends, won him the chance to put his name alongside Cllr Carl Smith and Cllr Trevor Wainwright, the leaders of the council's main political parties and Sheila Oxtoby, the CEO of the council.

Charlie's winning artwork was printed on adhesive vinyl which was then stuck onto the steel girder. The young schoolboy and the others, including proud parents Kate and Chris, then signed the steel surrounding the vinyl image with permanent marker. Charlie was also sent home with his hard hat and high-vis jacket supplied to him onsite.

Cllr Carl Smith and Cllr Trevor Wainwright, leaders of the council's main political groups, said: "Following ground-breaking in January 2021, we're pleased to say that phase one of the steelwork has been completed and phase two is due to be finished in July. The focus will then move onto boarding, brickwork and cladding.

"As the construction work continues on our new advanced Marina Centre, the project is on track for the new centre to be open in summer 2022."

John Stedman, Senior Contracts Manager at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: "The steel signing ceremony at the Marina Place Leisure Centre marks an important stage in what promises to be a transformational project for the Great Yarmouth community. The whole team has been delighted to work on this innovative development, as not only will it provide first-class health and fitness facilities, but it'll also set the stage for a wider regeneration of the area.

"For the steel aspect of this project we worked closely with our partners to make sure that the underlying steel structure would be optimised for the building. This included making the frame more efficient, solving vibration issues and making sure the primer would protect the steel from the coastal climate."