A fantastic new soft play area is being planned for Prudhoe Waterworld to provide another great space for children to have fun, let off steam and be active. 
 

This week the county council’s cabinet agreed to allocate an additional £60,000 of funding to provide a new play area for younger members of the community. 
 

Last year the council also agreed to invest £1.5m to upgrade and refresh Prudhoe Waterworld and plans and costings are currently being worked up. 
 

Northumberland County Councillor Jeff Watson, cabinet member for Improving Healthy Lives said: 

“We have an ongoing commitment to continually improve the standards and offer of sports and leisure facilities across the county. 
 

“This extra funding for Prudhoe is in addition to the £1.5million investment agreed last year.  While plans are being drawn up to make further improvements to Prudhoe Waterworld we are keen to press ahead with the purchase and installation of new soft play equipment to provide a fun, safe and interactive space for younger children to enjoy.” 
 

County councillor and local ward councillor Gordon Stewart welcomed the investment. He said:  

“It is so important our residents have great facilities to enjoy their leisure time and physical activity. 
 

“The leisure centre is an extremely important facility for the town and wider community, and I know the addition of a new soft play area will be really popular and bring hours of fun for families with young children.” 
 

It is expected that the new soft play will be open this summer. 

Over recent years Northumberland County Council committed to its biggest ever spend on sports and leisure facilities committing £65m to build new centres and breathe new life into facilities right across the county. 
 

Prudhoe Waterworld was opened in 1990 and attracts around 140,000 visitors a year. It features a main pool, wave pool, gym, fitness studio, a café.  The existing soft play was closed last year due to its age. 
 

In recent years the gym and studio areas have been refurbished and the pool plant that runs and heats the pool was also upgraded with more energy efficient and environmentally friendly equipment. 
 

The playpark outside of Waterworld was also rejuvenated in 2020 thanks to £90,000 investment from the county council.