City Beach and Olympic FanZone set to officially open in Leeds

Millennium Square’s popular City Beach will have a carnival atmosphere this year.

The annual seaside-themed extravaganza will once again see the square transformed into a sandy beach at the heart of the city centre from Saturday, August 13.

And to tie in with the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, this year’s event has been given a special Copacabana twist as an official Team GB FanZone.

Visitors to the square will be able to sit back and relax in deckchairs on the real sand beach area and watch all the sporting action live on the big screen between August 13 and 21.

The Leeds FanZone picks up the second week of live Games coverage to coincide with the opening of the beach and will feature the majority of the action, with Team GB hopefuls vying for medals including a number of athletes from Leeds.

The Games coverage will be aired on the big screen between 10.30am to 10.30pm each day, with highlights shown at the start of each day to cover any key moments with later finish times due to the time difference in Rio.

For each day of the coverage, national governing bodies will also be present, with an area adjacent to the beach where visitors can get information and try ‘have a go’ sessions with organisations including British Shooting, Volleyball England, The Royal Yachting Association, Table Tennis England and British Triathlon.

City Beach, organised by International Funfairs in partnership with Leeds City Council, will then continue from Monday, August 22 until Sunday, September 4 and will be open between 10.30am to 7pm daily.

Now in its fourth year, the popular urban beach setting includes Bamboo Bungees trampolines, a tropical jungle adventure funhouse, beach slide, traditional helter skelter, aqua walker balls and pirate boats.

For those  with a more adventurous nature, thrill rides Crazy Wave and Beach Buggies dodgems will also be returning.

City Beach Radio, courtesy of Heart, will be playing a wide range of popular hits and summer tunes throughout the day and there will also be a regular weekend programme of beach games and activities.

Visitors will also be able to sample a selection of treats and refreshments including a beach style BBQ swing grill together with traditional seaside sweets and ice cream.

Entry to the site and beach area will be free, with individual admission fees for all rides and attractions. Discounts will be also be available for LEEDSCard and Breezecard holders.

The official opening of City Beach and the Leeds FanZone will take place on Saturday, August 13 at 11am with a short ceremony with the Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Gerry Harper.

Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council said: “The excitement has really been building for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and it’s great that we’ll have a place in the heart of the city centre where people can feel close to the action.

“City Beach is always a hugely popular place for families to enjoy over the summer and having a Team GB FanZone on the square as well will really give the event an extra dimension this year.

“With so many Leeds athletes competing at the Games too, it’s a great place cheer on our sporting heroes and I’m sure they will do the city proud.”

For more details please visit: www.whatson.leeds.gov.uk

ENDS

Stuart Robinson

Communications Officer

Leeds City Council

Tel: 0113 224 3937

Email: stuart.robinson@leeds.gov.uk

www.leeds.gov.uk