Exciting revised plans for Lakeside Activity Centre
Come and find out more about our plans on Monday 13 April 4-7pm.
We’re excited to be moving our plans for Lakeside Activity Centre forward after years of planning and fundraising.
Although planning permission was granted back in 2021 for an activity centre on the old Lakeside car park in Ferry Meadows, we have faced delays in getting construction started due to rising costs and a changing climbing market. We have now developed revised plans for a simpler, lower building. The centre sits on a 30% smaller footprint compared to the original design and will be constructed in two phases. We’ll be submitting these revised plans to Peterborough City Council Planning Department in April.
Whilst still subject to funding as well as planning approval, our revised activity centre will offer the people of Peterborough and visitors an exciting new indoor leisure and sporting venue to keep everyone active all year round, which has been our vision from the beginning of the project. With a primary focus on bouldering, now the most popular form of climbing, the centre will offer widely accessible activity to all ages and skill levels. Everyone from beginners to aspiring Olympians can come, have fun, train and compete here. When the tower is added to the building as phase two of the plans, lead climbing (rope climbing) will be added to the climbing offer. The centre will also include a small café, accessible toilets and changing rooms.
The project has already secured significant investment, including from the UK Government’s Towns Fund programme, and through our own resources. We’re in advanced conversations with experienced climbing centre operators on the running of the centre. Subject to planning approval of the revised plans and remaining funding being secured, construction will begin in October 2026 with the opening date for the first phase of the centre in autumn 2027.
We would like to invite you to come and see our revised plans and talk to the team. There will be an information event on Monday 13 April 4-7pm at The Lakeside Hub in Ferry Meadows, next to Nene Outdoors and the Lakeside Kitchen and Bar. Free parking will be available for anyone wanting to come along. We look forward to seeing you there!
