Riverside has unveiled the newly refurbished Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) at the Oval Centre – a vibrant, inclusive space designed to boost access to sport and outdoor activity in Salterbeck.

The transformation was celebrated on Friday 25 July at a lively community event, where Josh MacAlister OBE (MP for Whitehaven and Workington) officially opened the facility, joined by local residents, young people, and community partners.

Cllr Denise Rollo (Cumberland Council), Sarah Mitten (Riverside), Josh MacAlister MP, Carl Mitchell (Riverside), Mascot, Jo Hannon (Fusion21 Foundation)

Attendees enjoyed demo games, sports activities, and family-friendly entertainment, getting a first look at the upgraded space in action.

The original tarmac surface had become unsuitable and required significant drainage improvements. In response, Riverside secured funding to install a safer, more versatile polymeric surface – a colourful, non-slip base ideal for a wide range of sports and activities.

More than just a sports facility, the new £53,100 MUGA is now a flexible space for community wellbeing. Designed to be accessible to all, it will host informal play, youth engagement sessions, multi-sport activities during school holidays, and inclusive programmes for vulnerable children and adults.

It will also support wellbeing initiatives like yoga and low-impact exercise for older residents, social activities such as bowls and Boccia, and opportunities for volunteering and skills development.

By encouraging physical activity, social connection, and community participation, the facility aims to tackle isolation, support mental and physical health, and provide positive alternatives for young people.

The refurbishment project is a part of Riverside’s wider neighbourhood improvement plans for Salterbeck, shaped by resident feedback and ongoing community consultation.

Andrea Thorn, Group Director of Homes & Communities from Riverside, said:

“This refurbishment is part of our long-term commitment to investing in the Salterbeck estate and creating spaces that bring people together.

“We know from listening to residents and gathering their feedback that they wanted more opportunities for children, young people and families to be active and connect.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Cumberland Council and the Fusion21 Foundation for supporting this project, to deliver a facility that will benefit the community for years to come.”

The MUGA refurbishment has received £36,952 from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is supported by Cumberland Council.

Leader of Cumberland Council, Councillor Mark Fryer, said:

“We’re delighted to support this project by connecting Riverside to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It is a great example of how targeted investment can make a real difference at a local level.”

Support has also been provided from the Fusion21 Foundation – a charity established by national social enterprise Fusion21, which has given millions in grants to the communities that it operates in.

Jo Hannan, Head of the Fusion21 Foundation, said:

“We look forward to seeing the updated Multi-Use Games Area become a place where people of all ages can exercise, socialise, and build confidence. This initiative aligns closely with our health and wellbeing funding priority and demonstrates how targeted funding can drive meaningful change at a community level.”

Josh MacAlister OBE, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, added:

“The Oval Centre is a key part of the Salterbeck community – it offers vital services and a space for people to come together. It was great to be back, to see the improvements made, catch up with the team, and once again witness the positive impact they’re making.”

The MUGA is open to all and available for free use, community hire, and full hire – with income reinvested into further community activity. It complements a range of services already offered at the Oval Centre, including the Fit 4 Life Gym, community lunches, the recently introduced cybercafe, and youth engagement initiatives delivered through North Allerdale Development Trust.

This latest investment builds on a series of improvements Riverside has made across the estate – from creating accessible pathways and community spaces on the centre’s 8.5-hectare backfield, to tackling fly-tipping and littering with community clean-up days, and developing food support offers and youth programmes.

Riverside continues to work closely with residents and partners to shape the future of Salterbeck.

To find out more about the facilities and services available to you at The Oval Centre, or to enquire about using the MUGA, contact Riverside at [email protected]