Local primary school children enjoyed giving their input into the brand new £73 million Marine Lake Events Centre which is being built in Southport.
The ambitious project will be built on the site of the former Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, which closed in March 2020.
It is estimated to attract an additional 515,000 visitors a year and generate £18 million into the Sefton economy.
The primary school pupils were delighted to be able to gather at the Waterfront Hotel for a unique and engaging careers event.
It gave them the opportunity to collaborate with professionals from AFL Architecture, Gardiner and Theobald, and Sefton Council on the Marine Lake Events Centre regeneration project.
The event brought together architects, project managers, and Sefton Council representatives to share their expertise and plans for the exciting multi-million pound scheme.
An artist’s impression of the new Marine lake Events Centre in Southport
With a focus on inspiring the next generation to contribute to the economic growth of the town, the initiative aimed to introduce children to various career paths within the construction and architectural sectors as well as to learn more about the opportunities the regeneration project will bring to the town.
One hundred enthusiastic children from nearby primary schools worked alongside career champion students from local high schools in Southport Learning Trust to create designs for the safety hoardings surrounding the construction work.
The collaborative effort involved working to a set design brief linked to the things the children love about Southport and jobs in the construction industry.
The designs were displayed for the architects, project managers and Sefton Council team to judge and winners were chosen which will be unveiled on the safety hoardings in the new year.
Tracey Holgate from Sefton Council said:
“It was truly rewarding to see! Without exception, all of the students and teachers engaged and were energised by the activity and information about the new MLEC project.
“The students were all so well behaved and an absolute credit to their schools.
“We were blown away by the standard of the work the children created which truly made our job of judging a very challenging task!
“I don’t think any of us expected to be so emotionally moved by some of the efforts but we are all so attached to the project and its importance to the future of Southport.
Marcel Ridyard at AFL Architecture said:
“We were delighted to have been able to support this event along with my colleague Matt Fallon.
“Credit to the teams from Sefton Tourism, the Education Trust and the teachers in Southport to make this day such a success for the 100 primary school kids, who were amazing.
“I can’t wait to see the winning designs up on the construction site hoardings.”
The collaboration between primary and high school students, along with professionals from various fields, showcased the commitment of Southport Learning Partnership to create meaningful connections between education and industry.
The event aimed to spark an early interest in potential career paths, empowering the younger generation to play an active role in the town’s future.
The young people left the event enthused about the exciting opportunities for them in the town they live in and were excited to tell their families.
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