Colwyn Bay’s multi million pound Watersports centre gets the green light

Oct 13 2011 by Mari Jones, North Wales Weekly News

THE green light has been given to a £3m watersports centre on Colwyn Bay seafront.

There are hopes the project –  The Hotspot – will  revitalise tourism in the Bay.

Major work will begin in January 2012. It is the first stage of a council-led Welsh Government and EU funded regeneration project to redevelop the promenade between Old Colwyn and  Cayley Promenade at Rhos-on-Sea.

Coastal defences are also being strengthened to protect over 200 properties along the coast, as well as the A55 and railway line.

The Hotspot has been designed by Liverpool-based K2 Architects and following a consultation the final designs were discussed by Conwy’s planners yesterday.

One councillor said: “This project will form part of a great day out in Colwyn Bay for locals and visitors alike.”

Work has already taken place on extending the promenade to form a platform for the new watersports
hotspot.

The coastal defence work and Waterfront project is part of the Bay Life+ Programme.

The Hotspot will be located 500m east of the pier, opposite the lower entrance to Eirias Park.

The building will occupy a single storey, with a tourist information/ exhibition area in the centre and each of the four wings dedicated to a different function, including a café, changing rooms and showers, boat store, workshops and shops.

At its highest point, the building will stand at 6m above ground level.

Most of the elevations will be clad with zinc and curtain glazing above a slate plinth. However, one wing will be clad with shiplap timber.

By cladding the building in pre-weathered zinc, it will have the chameleon-like ability to change colour with the weather.

The report explains: “It will be a  bright warm shimmer on a sunny day, dark and brooding on a miserable day, constantly shifting on windy overcast days, and will take on a glow of oranges and gold at sunrise and sunset.”

The application also includes two wind turbines. The proposal will provide 39 parking spaces and a further 14 spaces for cars with trailers. There would also be parking for three motorcycles and six bicycles.  The remainder of the outside space will include a children’s play area, seating, outdoor showers and rigging area.

The location of the scheme is seen as having “strategic importance” within the wider context of Colwyn Bay.

The application submitted to councillors stated: “One of the key objectives is remediating the severance between the waterfront area and the town centre by the A55 and railway.

“Its location adjacent to The Dingle would create a natural link with the sports facilities at Parc Eirias and improve connectivity to the town.

“The building would serve as a focal point and provide an elevated viewpoint of the bay and watersports which would draw people to venture further onto the promenade.”