Latest news with #adventurepark
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Huge £3m adventure park in popular UK seaside town suddenly SHUTS after ‘crumbling concrete' found in roof
POPULAR seaside town's adventure park has been forced to shut after "crumbling concrete" was found on its roof. Building repairs are set to occur on the site after the Raac (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) was discovered and raised safety concerns. 2 2 Flip Out Poole, which is located in Dorset's The Dolphin Centre, will close from Tuesday June 3 as building repairs are underway. A guest notice from The Flip Out Team has been shared on their website: "We know this isn't the news our amazing Poole community wanted to hear - and we want to say a huge thank you for all the energy, joy and epic memories you've brought through our doors up to now. "All guests with upcoming bookings will be automatically refunded in full, so there's nothing you need to do. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause." The Raac concrete which was found on the roof of The Hub is considered to be an unstable material. It is weaker than conventional concrete and susceptible to collapsing, particularly when wet or does not have adequate support from steel beams. The Hub also housed offices for BCP Council workers. It is understood affected areas are only isolated to the Flip Out section of the shopping centre. There is subsequently no imminent danger posed to visitors or staff, according to an investigation by building and structural engineers for The Dolphin centre. Centre manager for The Dolphin, John Grinnell, said: 'Legal & General are committed to a proactive approach to building maintenance. "These works are a proactive measure to avoid any potential unsafe conditions in the future. What is RAAC concrete? 'We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by the closure. Our team aims to complete these works as soon as possible, which will provide a permanent solution and ensure Flip Out Poole can reopen for many years to come." With the Raac concrete found only in one area of the centre, the rest of The Dolphin will remain open as usual whilst the repair works are happening. A post by the general manager of Flip Out was shared on social media, but has since been removed. He wrote: "To be clear this is due to the roof of the facility having been made with Raac concrete. 'The landlord must complete refurbishment works to ensure the building is safe to occupy.' The essential maintenance is being carried out by the landlord of The Dolphin. Raac concrete schools, hospitals and court house buildings. Adventure parks have also been facing challenges this year in terms of closures, which has been send as a blow to children's entertainment sites.
Times of Oman
25-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Zip line, climbing trails coming to Wadi Al Shab in tourism drive
Muscat: Wadi Al Shab, one of Oman's most scenic escapes is set for a transformative tourism boost with the launch of a major adventure park, featuring a zip line, mountain climbing trails, suspension bridges, walking trails, swimming zones, and a variety of restaurants and cafés. The project was announced as part of a set of three usufruct contracts worth more than OMR56 million, signed on Sunday by Salim Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, aimed at bolstering the Sultanate's tourism infrastructure. The Wadi Al Shab development, which will be undertaken by OMRAN Group, is designed to turn the breathtaking valley in the Wilayat of Sur into a year-round adventure and eco-tourism destination. The contract was signed by Hashil Obaid Al Mahrouqi, CEO of OMRAN Group. Wadi Al Shab stands out for its exceptional biodiversity, geological wonders, and flowing waters. With this project, OMRAN Group aims to elevate it into a leading destination that blends nature, recreation, and sustainability. The new adventure park is expected to appeal to both domestic and international visitors, offering activities for thrill-seekers and families alike. From adrenaline-pumping zip lines and rugged climbing trails to serene walking paths and natural swimming spots for children and adults, the development promises an immersive outdoor experience. Complementing the adventure offerings will be a range of cafés and restaurants designed to enhance visitor comfort and extend their stay. Wadi Al Shab has long been celebrated for its turquoise pools, hidden caves, and dramatic cliffs. The new project is expected to preserve these natural features while adding structured access and facilities that encourage sustainable exploration. In addition to Wadi Al Shab, two more deals were inked for integrated tourism complexes on Sunday. Sandan – Khasab Pearl, in the Wilayat of Khasab, will be developed by the Khasab Development and Investment Company over 43,658 square metres. It includes a 200-room 4-star hotel, 450 residential units available for Omani and foreign ownership, a heritage market, and multiple entertainment and dining options. The contract was signed by Hilal Nasser Al Harthy, Managing Director of Khasab Development and Investment Company. Hamyan Village, in Halban, Wilayat of Nakhl, will span over 201,000 square metres and feature a 156-room 4-star hotel, 535 residential units including apartments and villas, a market, restaurants, a water park, and supporting facilities. The contract was signed by Saud Hamad Al Ta'ei, Managing Director of Hamyan Investment and Project Development Company. The contracts mark a major step in Oman's ongoing efforts to diversify its economy through tourism, aligning with Oman Vision 2040. The Ministry confirmed that all three projects are being designed with a focus on sustainability, cultural preservation, and local job creation. -ONA
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Inside UK's ‘world-first' adventure park with high-swinging ropes over go-karting
A 'world first' adventure park featuring high ropes over a go kart track has opened in the UK today. The 20-pole course at Hull Adventure centre will see punters navigate tricky obstacles in mid-air, whilst go karts speed along beneath them. 1 The exhilarating trail also finishes with a 100m zip line, perfect for adventure lovers. The adventure centre has also unveiled new Jacob's Ladder and crate stack courses, perfect for school groups wanting to improve team building skills. John Haines, manager at Hull Adventure Centre, said: "This is fantastic that we're able to welcome bookings for the new high ropes course. "In just over a year, we've significantly expanded our offering to provide a wide range of activities to suit everyone, from youth sectors, voluntary organisations and businesses. Ali Glendinning, director of High-Low Ropes Course Consulting Ltd, revealed that the course is the first of its kind. "This track is completely bespoke to not just Hull, but anywhere in the world," he said. "There is no other high ropes facility which is suspended over a karting track in the world, so to design it around the track layout was a unique challenge." Last year, Hull Adventure Centre celebrated 20 years of go-karting, by adding bubble football, tag archery and dodgeball to the site. This comes after plans were submitted to build a park with wakeboarding, open water swimming and a free children's play area on the Devon -Cornwall border. A couple, Mel and Ed, revealed they want to transform their farmland found near the village of Lifton into a fun adventure park. New theme world at paulton's park On their website that illustrates what the potential park will look like, they said: "Our dream is to transform this farmland into a stunning park that offers a plethora of activities both on and off newly dug lakes. "Picture this: a cozy café, scenic walking paths, and communal areas nestled alongside exhilarating water-based activities like swimming, paddle-boarding, wakeboarding, and an aqua park." At the moment, the park is only in the early stages with planning permission still needing to be granted. They have also asked for feedback from the community and local businesses. A new adventure park also opened in Newhaven Fort earlier this year, as part of a £7.5 million renovation. The park is a "celebration of Victorian innovation' which mirrors the fort's history. There is a large tubular slide attached to a Victorian "dirigible" - a blimp like structure. The is also a steam crane-inspired lookout tower, with a secret entrance for kids. The sheltered play area is called Ardagh's workshop, named after the Fort's original architect, Lieutenant John Charles Ardagh. Designer, Jono Burgess said: "Since the Fort was built in the Victorian era, we wanted to celebrate the ingenuity and inventive spirit of the 1800s. "Our goal is to design and build an inclusive adventure playground which kids will want to return to again and again to challenge themselves, make new friends and have fun."
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Beloved south coast theme park set to reopen after nearly two years
A former UK theme park has announced plans to reopen as an adventure park, two years after closing its doors. Adventure Wonderland Theme Park in Bournemouth first opened in 1992 with Alice in Wonderland -themed rides and rollercoasters. Rising costs forced the park to shut its outdoor attractions in 2022, before the family theme park temporarily 'closed for a restructure' at the end of 2023. At the time, the park near Bournemouth Airport said: 'The current trading climate and steep increase in key costs across the board is not conducive to the existing theme park model.' A formal planning application has now been submitted to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council to improve the existing theme park facilities. Adventure Wonderland's transformation into a smaller adventure park will feature a maze, mini-golf and a go-karting track among its attractions. Park bosses also plan to reopen the cafe and education facility, replace some former ride areas with outdoor play spaces and repurpose existing buildings. Organisations, including Diverse Abilities and Discovery Village, have operated out of the theme park since it closed two years ago. A statement from the planning application said: 'The aim of this proposal is to create a site which is better adapted for use by the occupants of Merritown, Discovery Village and Diverse Abilities. 'All of these tenants want to create sustainable spaces which focus on creative outdoor spaces which are stimulating environments with outdoor play, sensory gardens, water play, and utilise the existing external spaces and buildings on site', reported the Bournemouth Echo. Adventure Wonderland initially opened as a pick-your-own fruit farm, eventually welcoming around 180,000 visitors to its tea cups, log flume and 'Wild Thing' indoor play area in the year before it closed. There is currently no confirmed reopening date, but the park announced hopes to start the 'new adventure in 2025' last September. In the 2024 update, the park shared on Facebook that the former Adventure Wonderland site was 'undergoing an exciting redevelopment '. It added: 'With the Alice in Wonderland maze at the heart, we are working on a lovely new concept with children's play areas, sensory and wildflower gardens and beautiful outdoor spaces for children and adults to enjoy quality time together.'
