Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram goes behind the scenes at Wirral’s new Eureka! Science + Discovery
Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram, was treated to a behind the scenes look at progress on the new Eureka! Science + Discovery centre in Wirral earlier this month.
Due to open in Autumn 2022, the attraction – for which Seddon is delivering the initial base build phase – has been funded by several partners, including a £6.4m grant from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Strategic Investment Fund.
Works on-site began in June 2021 and so far, Seddon has carried out work on some of the features of the building to create a science theatre for school workshops.
The visit marked the first time Mayor Rotheram has received a sneak peek of the project at the Seacombe Ferry Terminal.
Liverpool-based architects, K2, have worked closely with Seddon to advise on the structural elements of the build.
Vikki Thomas, relationships manager at Seddon, said: “This is a fantastic project to be involved with, especially as it’s our first in Merseyside.
“We’ll be on site until spring 2022, ensuring that the building is prepped and ready from a structural perspective.
“Since works began earlier this year, we’ve already seen a glimpse of the incredible transformation the building will undergo to become one of the North West’s leading visitor attractions.
“We were pleased to be able to welcome the mayor on-site to show him the progress we’ve made so far and the plans we have moving forward.”
Eureka! is a significant project as more than 120 young people from the Liverpool City Region have had a hand in its creation. The new attraction is set to help bridge the STEM skills gap, offering a unique and interactive experience with which young people can engage.
Mayor Rotheram showed a keen interest in supporting the new science and discovery centre, due to its important focus on encouraging the younger generation to explore STEM careers.
Speaking of his visit to the site, he said: “It was great to be invited to look at how Eureka! Science + Discovery is progressing so far. We’ve invested £6.4m to help deliver what I think is another outstanding attraction. What was tired and underused will be replaced by a fresh, interesting, and interactive new offering. This is just a part of our wider plans revitalise Birkenhead and in particular, the Left Bank area.”
Eureka!'s CEO, Leigh-Anne Stradeski, has worked on the Merseyside project since 2014. Speaking about the attraction, she said: “It was a pleasure to show the Mayor the progress that is being made and to further explain how we see our vision coming together in a way that will support the growth of the Liverpool City Region and the transformation of Wirral.
“A focus on environmental issues and sustainability is a theme which runs throughout the Eureka! Science + Discovery experience and is a top priority for the Mayor and the city region. With COP26 underway, this was a great time to highlight how our approach to engaging children and young people in these key issues will support this wider vision of innovation and leadership in securing a sustainable future.”
Eureka! Science + Discovery’s key stakeholders include Wirral Council and founding partner Ørsted, alongside The Johnson Foundation, Unilever, STFC Daresbury Laboratory, Arup, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Liverpool John Moores University.
Further information can be found via their Facebook and Twitter pages or by visiting www.eurekadiscovery.org.uk