Merseyway and Viaduct Park host FREE activities to keep children active over the summer holidays
Stockport town centre is gearing up for a summer filled with sport celebrations with free activities at Merseyway and Viaduct Park to help local children stay active during the school holidays.
From sprinting, hurdles, long jump, rhythm gymnastics, climbing and more, children can try out a whole host of sports on at this year’s Olympics in Paris, with all activities completely free to take part.
Merseyway will be hosting an indoor pop-up Olympic Park throughout the summer featuring a running track, winner’s podium and basketball hoop, with additional sports activities running every Wednesday from 7 August – 28 August, while over at Viaduct Park, located on top of the town’s new transport interchange, there will be a range of free sports activities on offer every Thursday from 8 August – 29 August. Free sports-themed crafting sessions will also be taking place at each event at too, with activities taking place from 11am – 3pm at both locations.
Children will also be encouraged to pick up their very own free ‘Sporty Stockport Passport’, available at locations across Merseyway, where they can keep a diary of all the sports-related activities they’ve taken part in this summer to see just how active they’ve been. And a competition via the shopping centre’s social channels will offer those taking part the chance to win a variety of sports-themed prizes including tennis rackets, cricket bats, footballs and basketballs.
Merseyway will be kicking off its Summer of Sport in spectacular style with a launch party
at its pop-up Olympic Park on Saturday 27 July from 11am – 3pm.
Visitors can also enjoy free craft sessions and get a temporary Team GB tattoo!
Merseyway’s popular free outdoor beach, Merseybay is also back for 2024 and officially opens on the same day and will be given an Olympics twist including the chance to try the long jump! The centre’s selection of summer rides are also returning, with entry payable per ride.
The launch of summer at Merseyway comes as the multi-million pound improvement programme reaches a massive milestone. The works to the former BHS building are complete and JD Sports and Poundland are expected to open their brand-new stores in August. Improvements to the public realm are complete and have transformed and revitalised Merseyway, providing more greenery, and places for people to meet and greet their friends or to just take time out and watch the world go by.
Victoria Nichol, Merseyway Centre Manager said:
“We know how challenging and expensive it can be for families to fill the summer holidays with activities, so our Summer of Sport aims to give local children the opportunity to keep active and try their hand at a variety of different sports throughout the summer, all for free.
“We’re encouraging families to pick up one of our Sporty Stockport Passports so they can keep track of all the different sports and activities they’ve tried this summer, whether that’s at one of our events, playing football with friends or simply going for a family walk. We’ll be asking parents to share a photo of their children’s fitness passports via our social media to be in with a chance of winning a selection of sporty prizes.”
Councillor Frankie Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said:
“It’s fantastic news that we are celebrating summer at Merseyway and with the works now complete, we would like to thank everyone for their patience during what has been a challenging time.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time for Stockport’s town centre and the work in Merseyway is just part of our multi-million investment to ensure our town is a great place to live, work, shop and play.
“These works will help to support the wider regeneration of the town centre and complement the programme of activities planned for the summer.”
For updates on the different activities taking place each week follow @merseyway on social or visit www.merseyway.com.
Image: Merseybay Beach credit Matthew Nichol
