Last updated at 11:41, Friday, 31 August 2012

Seven full-time jobs could be created if plans for a new climbing wall go-ahead in the Wave Centre in Maryport.

An artist’s impression of the clip ‘n climb attraction

Allerdale council wants to install a £400,000 Clip ’n Climb attraction with climbing walls and obstacles.

It is expected that the attraction would create seven full-time jobs, two apprenticeships, and part-time and casual posts.

The authority has applied for £180,000 towards the project from the Rural Development Programme for England and should find out next month if it has been successful.

Members of the council’s executive will meet on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of the council providing £220,000 from balances to fund the rest of the work.

The council said if the project went ahead, the equipment could be in place by April next year.

Paul Shackley, deputy chief executive, said: “It is the most exciting new concept in indoor climbing to have emerged in the past decade.

“It is where climbing walls meet theme parks.”

The plan is aimed at turning around the fortunes of the centre, which has suffered lower than expected visitor numbers since its launch in July 2008.

It comes after a public consultation earlier this year showed that people wanted more activities for children and young people. Last year the council spent more than £200,000 subsidising the centre, which is managed on behalf of the council by Carlisle Leisure Limited.

First published at 11:26, Friday, 31 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk