More than £2.5m secured to revamp area around £36m Coventry waterpark
Plans to transform the area around a new Coventry waterpark are beginning to take shape thanks to funding worth £2.57m.
The land in front of the Christchurch Spire – near to The Wave will be refreshed and as part of Coventry City Council’s public realm programme ahead of Coventry being UK City of Culture 2021.
It will include a new water feature, new bonded gravel surface and several benches.
A play area for children will also be built.
The public realm enhancements will be a key part of the regeneration of 2730 sq m of brownfield site and will contribute to the creation of 70 new jobs and four apprenticeships.
The work is being made possible thanks in part to funding worth £2.57m from the Government’s Local Growth Fund through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP).
Cllr Patricia Hetherton, Cabinet Member for City Services at Coventry City Council, said the work was crucial to improve the look of the city for local people and ahead of UK City of Culture as thousands of new visitors are expected to visit Coventry.
She said: “This part of the Bull Yard will be transformed with a fresh new design that focuses on nature, and it will really enhance the look of the whole area.
“There’s going to be so much more green space than there is at the moment. It’s going to be a very welcoming area for families and children to enjoy.
“Coventry being named UK City of Culture 2021 has given us a great opportunity to enhance our wonderful city, and we think our design will impress locals and visitors alike.
“We are also looking to respect the history of the area in the work. A depiction of Greyfriars Gate, which can currently be seen on the paving stones in front of the Spire, will be re-made to look more striking.”
CWLEP board director Zamurad Hussain said: “We were delighted to help fund this new design for the space around The Wave.
“So many more visitors will flock to Coventry in the near future, and it is important that the areas around The Wave are a fitting environment to what is a major investment in the city centre, and this funding will allow that to happen.
“This work will totally transform the area and also respect its history.”
Work will get underway on Monday, September 2.
The Wave, a new £36.7m waterpark, will feature several fun slides, a day spa, a 25m four-lane swimming pool, a 120-station fitness suite, squash courts and a dance studio.
