Council Says Scarborough Waterpark to Reopen at End of July

Thursday, 20 June 2024 15:50

By Anttoni James Numminen, Local Democracy Reporter

The Alpamare water park in Scarborough’s North Bay will be ready for reopening at the end of July, North Yorkshire Council has said.

Scarborough’s Alpamare water park is set to reopen to the public next month after new operator Flamingo Land took over in May.

It comes a month after council bosses approved Flamingo Land as the site’s new operator.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the authority’s assistant director for property services, Kerry Metcalfe, Said:

“Work is ongoing at Alpamare and with Flamingo Land to get the water park ready for reopening at the end of July.”

Gordon Gibb, Flamingo Land’s chief executive and owner, said it was “an exciting new venture” for the company.

The council took control of the site last year when developer Benchmark Leisure Ltd went into administration.

Alpamare opened in Scarborough’s North Bay in 2016 with the help of a £9m bail-out loan from the now-defunct Scarborough Council.

Developer Benchmark still owed the authority £7.8m last year but there will be “no further payments” of the loan.

Reacting to the news, Shirley Smith, president of the Scarborough Hospitality Association, said she was “delighted” and believed Alpamare’s reopening would have

“a really positive impact on local hospitality businesses, and in turn benefit the whole community”.

“Many folks visit the town specifically for the water park but stay to eat and shop locally so the wider impact is very positive,”

Since the site’s closure last year concerns have been regularly raised that a new operator would price out locals, something which residents have said was previously also an issue.

Speaking at a meeting in May, Coun Rich Maw said:

“The focus on tourism alone has failed and we need an affordable ticket price to ensure that locals have access all year round.”

Shirley Smith also called for

“additional local benefits such as the introduction of a residential discount or off-season rate to ensure locals are able to keep visiting throughout the year and hopefully ensure its future”.

She told the LDRS:

“For a resort that relies so heavily on tourism, it is great to see this wonderful attraction re-opening and we hope that it is the first of many good news stories, for the town, in the coming season.

“We wish the new operators of Alpamare every success.”

Flamingo Land did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Did you find this article useful?

This is the Coast is committed to providing a daily local news service for the Yorkshire Coast. We are a small locally owned and operated business which employs professional journalists and reporters. We do not receive any public funding or grants and we are entirely funded by our local commercial operations. We enjoy fabulous support from local businesses who work with us on their advertising and marketing campaigns, but the cost of providing high quality, well researched, fact checked local news coverage is significant.

If you appreciate what This is the Coast does, and would like to help support our journalism, please consider supporting us on a monthly basis today.

A small contribution from all our readers would really help support independent journalism for the Yorkshire Coast.

More from Yorkshire Coast News

Deputy Mayor- We Need Flood Funding for North Yorkshire

The high-ranking council official and colleagues in the fire service have been speaking to MPs to assist the county.
North Yorkshire Police To Expand Right Care Right Person Plan

North Yorkshire Police are expanding their right care right person initiative.
Scarborough Athletic Beaten at Promotion Chasers

Boro lost out at Scunthorpe, despite Harry Green's goal.
Whitby Town Win Six Pointer To Exit Bottom Four

The Blues gave themselves breathing space thanks to goals from Aaron Haswell and their midweek signing from Scarborough.
Yorkshire Coast Rugby- Scarborough Miss Opportunity

Scarborough RUFC suffered a rare loss on Saturday, but their nearest rivals in North East 2 were also beaten.
Brid Town Beaten In Thriller

The Seasiders remain in relegation trouble after a 3-2 loss in the North East.
Pickering Town March On After Fourth Win In Five

The Pikes are in great form and remain in contention for a play-off place.
North Yorkshire's "Most Difficult" Budget Approved

Councillors have approved North Yorkshire Council's budget for the next year which will see the maximum 4.99% increase to council tax bills.
New Site Proposed for Scalby School

Plans for a land deal with the Government to rebuild a Scarborough secondary school that was affected by crumbling concrete are set to be discussed.
Scarborough Sex Offender Jailed After Targeting Children Online

A Scarborough man who targeted children through social media for sexual gratification has been jailed.
Scarborough and Whitby Planners Approve Delay to High Mill Bridge Construction

The Scarborough and Whitby Area Planning Committee has approved an amendment to the planning permission for the High Mill development, allowing a delay in the construction of a pedestrian and cycle bridge over Scalby Beck.
New Dementia Support Services Coming to Scarborough

Dementia Forward has announced plans for new dementia support initiatives in the Scarborough area.