Trip ‘Light Fantastic’ on the Marine Lake
IMAGES have been released of the groundbreaking light, sound and water show which could soon be built on Southport’s Marine Lake.
The ‘Light Fantastic’ lake animation will be unqiue to the UK and comes as part of a £50million plan to “put Southport back on the map”.
The new visitor attraction forms part of Southport’s bid to the government for a £50m town deal which could in turn trigger private investments worth £400m and create 1,250 jobs.
The concept has been developed by the Southport Town Deal board, as part of the Southport Masterplan, working with LCI Productions, an industryrenowned design-led production and installation company.
Tourism chiefs believe the attraction could bring more than 180,000 visitors each year, adding around £3.9m to the local economy.
Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “The Marine Lake was built in the Victorian era, and yet remains an incredibly under-used asset.
“The Light Fantastic will provide a walkway into the lake as part of an incredible water, light and sound show which won’t just complement the Events Centre, but will also prove to be an attraction in its own right to further elevate and distinguish the Southport brand.
“Sefton Council and our partners on the Town Deal Board want to see Southport transformed in to a thriving, vibrant visitor destination. We want to give people a reason to visit and stay for longer. We believe that attractions such as this, our new events space, and Southport Cove Go Surf, will create a genuinely unique visitor experience and will only serve to strengthen our visitor economy.
“We’re putting back on the map!”
Those behind the plans have also revealed plans to build a state-of-the-art events centre to replace Southport Theatre and Convention Centre (STCC).
The all new 1,200-seater
Southport venue forms the centrepiece of the Town Deal bid and is seen as integral to the future of the town’s economy. Boasting a 1,200 seater auditorium and conference facilities, the Marine Lake Events Centre – a working title suggested by one of the schoolchildren who responded to the targeted consultation on the project, is designed to attract new markets such a e-sports competitions as well as accommodating the type of community-led events currently held in the Floral Hall.