Plymouth's Mount Batten Centre is set for a £4m makeover, with major redevelopment works now underway. The revamp will see improvements made to the reception area, the creation of a ground-floor café with outdoor seating, and new changing facilities.
The updated design includes accessible and inclusive spaces, with provisions for multicultural and family changing, as well as separate areas for public use. There will also be slip-resistant flooring, durable materials, and adaptable layouts incorporated into the design.
The centre's revamped changing facilities will meet both Sport England and Changing Places toilet standards.
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But it's not just the interior getting a facelift. Significant upgrades are planned for the external areas surrounding the centre and the 17th Century Artillery Tower.
Visitors can look forward to new terraced seating areas offering "an ambient welcome to the centre", reports .
Improved access to the historic Mount Batten Tower is also on the cards, with additional pathways leading to the tower plateau. This will allow more visitors to take in the views across Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.
The work is being funded by £4m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Plymouth City Council and the Levelling Up Fund, through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Labelled as a "sensitive restoration project" by the council, this initiative aims to improve accessibility to the marine park.
This undertaking is but one part of an ambitious £22m rejuvenation programme designed to "empower and engage the city in the marine environment".
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The centre remains open for activities and is being operated from the classroom block in the main car park, where temporary welfare units are in place to provide facilities for booked activities and club/affiliate members of the centre. There will be no access to the centre's main building during the renovations, this includes the existing café and accommodation.
Council Leader Tudor Evans said: "As Britain's Ocean City we have a unique opportunity to restore the amazing heritage of Plymouth Sound. Our vision is to create a welcoming and inclusive space that celebrates Plymouth's rich maritime heritage and offers new opportunities for everyone to enjoy the stunning waterfront."
Richard Stevens, head of the Mount Batten Centre Board, added: "The comprehensive project of reworking and enhancing the centre is not just about bricks and mortar; it's about creating a vibrant, accessible space that will connect people with our extraordinary National Marine Park, whether that be on, in or by the water."
Adam Brimacombe, from Classic Builders, the firm undertaking the works, said: "Plymouth is an important place for us, not only is it our home city but a large proportion of our talented team are based in the area. The delivery of these works allows us to further our support of local staff, share opportunities with local supply chain members, and play a key part of the continued investment of Plymouth as an exciting place to live and work.
"Having worked on a number of schemes for Plymouth City Council, we're proud to be once again supporting the local authority on another important project. Plymouth is a special place to everyone at Classic Builders, and we're excited to be working on another key project in our home city."
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