New community Pavilion opens for Wisbech Park

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New community Pavilion opens for Wisbech Park

Deputy Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Cllr Anna Smith, thanked everyone  involved when she joined town and district council partners for the opening of a state-of-the-art community Pavilion in historic Wisbech park.

The inclusive new facility creates a welcoming community space within the market town’s beautiful park. Seven months after construction began, the people who brought the project to completion gathered to celebrate a new town asset made possible in large part by Combined Authority funding of almost £300k.

A fantastic addition to Wisbech Park, the Pavilion will complement the existing amenities, including a Splash Pad, also created with £147.5k from the Combined Authority, and new children’s play area which was completed in the past two years.

As well as the £299k from the Combined Authority’s Market Towns Programme, the project also received funding from Cambridgeshire County Council’s Communities Capital Fund, the Government’s Changing Places initiative, and Fenland District Council.

Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson:

“The Splash Pad has been a fantastic success and this Pavilion community hub will widen the park’s appeal, attract more events, and encourage new visitors of all ages and abilities. It also shows the power of our partnerships, with £299k from the Combined Authority helping FDC secure other funding, bringing this welcome boost to Wisbech, demonstrating yet again the CPCA’s commitment to invest in the communities of Fenland.”

Cllr Peter Murphy, Fenland District Council’s Portfolio Holder for parks and open spaces, said:

“Wisbech Park has long been a jewel in the town’s crown, and the commitment of local district council members to enhancing it further has significantly increased the number of visitors. The new community pavilion is a testament to this dedication and will serve as a focal point for community engagement and social activities for years to come.”

The pavilion will be a versatile space catering to the diverse needs of the community, hosting a range of events and activities, such as community meetings, workshops, or small-scale performances, and with space for a potential café or pop-up café.

It includes greatly improved and accessible public showering and baby change facilities and an accessible Changing Places toilet, designed to support the needs of all people with disabilities or mobility challenges.

The Pavilion will be managed by Wisbech Town Council and is poised to open its doors to the public in early Spring, with a third party managing the café area.

Officially unveiling a plaque on the building, Fenland District Council Chairman, Cllr Nick Meekins, said: “I’m a lifelong Wisbech resident so this park has always been part of my life. It’s a fantastic park and now we’ve got this pavilion it gets even better.”

Cllr Samantha Hoy, a town, district and county councillor for Wisbech, said: “I’m delighted to see the pavilion completed in just seven months and can’t wait for it to start being used and enjoyed by the local community. It marks a significant milestone in our shared commitment to fostering vibrant and inclusive community spaces, where residents can come together, connect, relax, and create lasting memories.”