Great times in Yarmouth

For generations, the seafront at Great Yarmouth has been a place to get fit and have fun. At the heart of the action, its Marina Centre on the famous Golden Mile promenade has taken on different forms.

The first of its kind was a 3,000-seat open-air amphitheatre, built in 1937, which hosted all kinds of events from boxing matches to beauty contests with showbiz stars acting as judges.

Occupying a prime spot for more than 40 years, it was a hit entertaining large crowds in the summer, but not so popular when faced with the great British weather.

It was demolished along with the adjoining outdoor swimming pool in 1979 to make way for The Marina Leisure Centre, which opened two years later.

Whether it was a dip in the tropical pool, a splash in the popular wave machine, a game of bowls, roller-skating at the rink or watching a body-building competition, the stand–out concertina-shaped centre had activities for locals and holidaymakers alike. Thousands of children learned to swim there. It also hosted the National Lottery and a homecoming gig for The Darkness in 2003.

But after nearly 40 years of dominating the seafront, it was deemed too large to maintain. As part of the ongoing rejuvenation of the town’s promenade area, the site was completely levelled for a brand new £26million facility – with the locals voting to keep its name the same.

Now open, the state-of-the-art Marina Centre has a six-lane pool, a learner pool, two flumes – one for a single rider, another for two – 14 climbing walls, a four-court sport hall, studios and 120-station gym.

Many of the facilities feature panoramic views of the shore, with a central atrium and cafe linking the promenade to the beach and an outdoor performance space.

freedom-leisure.co.uk/centres/marinacentre, visitgreatyarmouth.co.uk