Published: Thursday, 26th May 2022
An opportunity to bid for significant funding that could give Hunstanton a state-of-the-art new leisure and entertainment centre has arisen, and the public are being asked to contribute their views.
The second round of the government’s Levelling Up Fund has opened for bids and, with no guarantee of any future rounds, the council could decide to put forward a bid to develop a new Oasis centre in Hunstanton.
Part of the decision-making process includes demonstrating that it is something the community would benefit from so a survey is being launched on Monday to ask for the views of local residents, visitors from the surrounding area and holidaymakers from further afield.
Councillor Stuart Dark, MBE, leader of the borough council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, said: “There is a great opportunity to put forward a bid to the Levelling Up Fund – and we need the public’s help in working up a proposition for the Oasis, which will be considered alongside other potential options later in June.
“We want you to tell us about your experiences of using the centre and share your ideas for what you would like to see in future.
“We know this has come up at short notice but we might not get another chance to bid for this funding. Please help shape the Oasis proposition by giving us your views.”
The survey will ask for people’s views and ideas and as a thank you for taking part, there is a chance for respondents to enter a prize draw and win £100 in shopping vouchers.
An extremely short deadline has been set for submitting bids, meaning the consultation is only able to run until 5pm on Sunday 12 June.
To maximise opportunities to participate, the online survey will be complemented by face-to-face interviewers, who will be on hand at Alive Oasis on 7, 8 and 11 June to listen to and capture the views of visitors to the centre.
The Levelling Up fund is the government’s flagship funding stream and provides capital investment in infrastructure, including in sports, leisure and active health facilities. The range of projects that can be considered is limited but the Oasis Hunstanton comes within the criteria.
Local MP, James Wild, added: “This possible funding offers Hunstanton, and west Norfolk as a whole, an exciting opportunity to maximise the potential of the Oasis and bring forward investment that will have a lasting benefit.
“Please have your say and help us to make the bid for funding for the Oasis.”
The survey can be found here. It will go live on Monday morning.