Steel–signing ceremony marks milestone in Activating Community Health project.
A steel–signing ceremony in Millom, South Copeland, took place recently (11 September), to celebrate a milestone in one of the projects the South Copeland GDF Community Partnership has awarded Community Investment Funding (CIF).
A new leisure centre is being built as part of the Millom Town Deal and its steel frame is now complete. So, as tradition goes, residents and councillors signed their names on the newly finished structure before work continues.
Local school children joined community leaders, Cumberland Council officers, project funders and contractors to sign the steel girders and leave messages. Cumberland Councillor Bob Kelly (left) with Chief Executive Andrew Seekings.
The new facility, also known as Activating Community Health, is one of four projects that make up the Millom Town Deal which secured £20.6m from the UK Government’s Town’s Fund alongside match funding – including from Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).
Community Investment Funding (CIF) is awarded by the South Copeland Community Partnership’s investment panel, from Nuclear Waste Services’ Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) programme.
The Partnership granted £500,000 to help deliver the facility – of that £200k is specifically for the 3G pitch resurfacing work and £300k towards the fitting-out element of the building.
CIF is used to support projects that provide economic development opportunities, enhance the natural and built environment, or improve community wellbeing in the GDF Search Areas. Activating Community Health will benefit the community for generations to come.
Millom School pupils sign their names.
Andy Pratt, Chair of the South Copeland GDF Community Partnership, said: “This new leisure centre will be a real asset for Millom and the wider South Copeland community. It’s a place where people of all ages can come together, stay active, and improve their health and wellbeing.
“We’re pleased to have supported this project through Community Investment Funding, and it’s great to see what can be achieved when local people, organisations and funders work together for the benefit of the community.”
The Copeland Community Fund gave £1 million towards the project and the NDA gave a £3.1 million grant, as part of its investment in supporting permanent and sustainable change in Millom and all its site communities.
Funding has also been provided by CGP Books, Millom School and Millom Town Council.
(Left to right) Gillian Elliott from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, David Savage, Chair of Town Deal Board, Kelly Anderson from South Copeland GDF Community Partnership and Paul Skelton from Nuclear Waste Services.
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