Maryport's new £90,000 gym has opened in the Wave Centre.

This week Maryport Town Council has also agreed to look at forming a financial partnership to keep the Wave afloat with chairman Peter Kendall suggesting an annual grant of £10,000.

Councillor Linda Radcliffe said this would set a precedent but was told that neighbouring towns do similar things with community buildings.

The leisure centre is the latest attempt to prop up the Wave Centre which, since it was built, has been subsidised by as much as £250,000 a year by Allerdale council.

Built in 2008, it failed as a museum and visitors’ centre.

The gym is the third attempt to revive its fortunes after the initially very successful Clip ‘n’ Climb attraction and the indoor caving experience, Cave in the Wave were brought in.

The gym was opened on Saturday. It features 30 stations of cardio and resistance equipment plus a range of weights and functional kit.

Martin Horne, area manager for Better in Allerdale said: “We’re delighted to be opening this brand-new gym which provides another great additional facility in The Wave Centre.

“We’re looking forward to offering something new to existing customers and also welcoming new customers into the centre too over the coming weeks and months.”

Michael Heaslip, executive member with responsibility for leisure centres, said: “This is a great investment into the Wave Centre in Maryport which will open the facility up to a whole new audience.

“We’re putting in the latest gym equipment, which is available in our other leisure centres, and so it’s great to be able to offer it to the people of Maryport as well.

“This is all part of our commitment to improving access to sport and leisure facilities in our communities.”