Water park boost for Yorkshire tourism

A MAJOR new tourist attraction opens near Scarborough today.

The aqua park called North Yorkshire Water Park opens at Wykeham Lakes near Scarborough.

Adults and children from various Scarborough organisations attended yesterday to test the facility, including pupils from Scarborough College, members of Scarborough YMCA and Compass Gym.

The park includes a floating slide over five metres tall, climbing walls, trampolines, balance bars, rockers and rollers for people to jump, swim and climb on and a Blast Bag, which uses the powerful force of air to blast friends, family and guests skyward.

There have been a series of warm-up events over the last few weeks which have been welcomed with a positive response from participants.

North Yorkshire Water Park manager Andrew Backhouse said: “The whole team is really excited to be opening tomorrow.

“We’ve had hugely positive feedback from all those who’ve experienced the AquaPark so far, with everyone from children, families, and groups of friends telling us how much they’ve enjoyed it.”

Lord Downe, of Dawnay Estates, said: “North Yorkshire Water Park marks a considerable investment for the estate and I am delighted that the first phase of the development at Wykeham Lakes, the AquaPark, is now officially open.”

Janet Deacon, Scarborough Borough Council tourism manager, said: “We welcome these exciting plans for another significant investment in our leisure and tourism sector, which will complement existing attractions in the area.”

The Open University placed a giant reflective cube on Briggate, in Leeds, to encourage people to spend more time thinking about their personal ambitions, which it says a quarter of people never do. Sophie O’Hanlon, 20, from Headingley, tries it out.

Said the public response was split 50/50 between two rival sites.