Last updated 15:57, Wednesday, 21 May 2008

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the wave: It has highly visible profile but does not visually detract from the scenic backdrop in the conservation area

WITH THE opening of the £3.2million ‘The Wave’ heritage visitor attraction just around the corner, Capita Symonds is proud to have been involved in Maryport’s newest leisure facility.

Maryport was identified as having a great potential for tourism development. The town has an outstanding history, with the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage site.

Allerdale Borough Council hoped to develop a multi-functional tourism and leisure facility in the town, providing facilities for both locals and visitors alike.

Capita Symonds, a UK wide multi-disciplinary consultancy firm with nine offices in Cumbria, has been involved with ‘The Wave’ project from the start and is responsible for the building’s unique design.

‘Sea’ how the wave took shape……

n FEBRUARY 2006: Phase 1 of the project began with Capita Symonds undertaking a study into the potential construction of a new facility near the harbour. The facility would promote the town through effective presentation of its history as well as providing quality exhibition and performance space. The work was done on behalf of Allerdale Borough Council with Regeneration Maryport (latterly West Lakes Renaissance) acting as the client’s project manager.

n MAY 2006: With the feasibility study concluded, Capita Symonds recommended that the facility should provide for:

Heritage interpretation – Appealing to everybody, especially families and education and other groups that might cover all or some of:

The Maritime Heritage of Maryport is outstanding in its variety and appeal. It spans 2,000 years, from Roman times when there was a harbour here serving the fort, as part of the coastal defences associated with Hadrian’s Wall.

The Roman Theme is important, in view of the increasingly high profile of Hadrian’s Wall and associated tourism development and marketing work.

The Environment is a theme which is increasing in popularity, as the critical issues of climate change and energy use. Ultimately the heritage element was to focus on Maryport’s Maritime history.

Festivals – Maryport has several annual events, including the Blues Festival, Songs of the Sea and the Year of the Sea. Maryport Festivals Ltd aims to develop more festivals and events in the town.

Orientation – To provide information about other attractions, accommodation and visitor facilities in the area, to maximise benefits to the local economy.

Some of the facilities that were recommended for the facility included a film theatre, a festival hall, education facilities, a cafe, a shop, a festival office and conference facilities.

At this stage, Capita Symonds proposed that the facility should have a highly visible profile that did not visually detract from the backdrop. At the same time, it was recommended that the building should take maximum advantage of the location and setting while respecting surroundings and neighbours, particularly the Scheduled Ancient Monument Sites, listed buildings and the conservation area.

It was also proposed to give the building a ‘nautical’ theme and a flexible outlook, ensuring that it could embrace future improvements and change.

During this time, site and environmental analysis was taken place including flood risk, planning considerations, a transport statement, Environmental Impact Assessment and pedestrian and car considerations were taken on board.

n JULY 2006: Phase 2 of the project began with the management of the design and build of the new facility which was awarded to Capita Symonds by Allerdale Borough Council.

Phase 2 involved many elements including design development, a planning application and various assessments.

It was at this stage that the curved roof was given more thought. It was agreed that a curved roof would give the building a sufficient visual impact, without detracting from the conservation area backdrop. The proposed slate grey colour for the roof would also blend in with the surroundings. A planning application was then submitted in August 2006.

n OCTOBER 2006: More than £3.0million of project funding was granted by the European Union, Allerdale Borough Council, Maryport Heritage Trust, West Cumbria Development fund and Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd. The planning application was approved and Thomas Armstrong Construction Ltd was chosen as the contractor.

n FEBRUARY 2007: Work started on site.

n SUMMER 2008: ‘The Wave’ centre in Maryport due to open as a heritage visitor attraction.

For more information about Capita Symonds, visit www.capitasymonds.co.uk