EU cash means go-ahead for £6.5m Colwyn Bay sports venue

Nov 4 2010 by Wendy Jones, North Wales Weekly News

A £6.5 MILLION sports and entertainment venue in Colwyn Bay is set to go ahead after it received European cash backing.

Wales’ First Minister Carwyn Jones announced on Friday that Parc Eirias Events Centre is to get £4.8m from the Welsh Assembly Government through the European Regional Development Fund, the Targeted Match Fund and Strategic Regeneration Area funding.

When complete the centre will provide a venue for community, cultural and sporting events, and will become the new home of North Wales Rugby.

Mr Jones said: “Wales is now winning a worldwide reputation as a location for sporting activities – and this new Events Centre will help equip our country with the facilities we need to train the world beaters of the future.

“I am delighted that devolution and our management of European structural funds are enabling us to move ahead with this first class project.”

The Parc Eirias investment will help create a centre of sporting excellence with an upgraded rugby pitch to WRU International Standard, a 2,500-seat covered grandstand, floodlights and team changing facilities.

There will also be a large multi-purpose indoor centre for use by the community, including conference and classroom facilities for business and commerce events, an indoor pitch, a gym and high performance sports analysis facilities.

A pitch protection system will be installed to allow spectator standing on the sports pitch for outdoor concerts, and the multi-use centre will also be used for smaller concerts and functions. Extra parking will be available.

Cllr Dilwyn Roberts, leader of Conwy County Council, said: “This development is a cornerstone of our regeneration plans for Colwyn Bay, providing the ability to host a wide range of cultural, community and sporting events.”

Colwyn Bay councillor Brian Cossey added: “It’s obviously great news for the town to get such a high level of investment.

“It's an events centre which will benefit the whole community.

“Not only will it be home to all levels of the North Wales Rugby team but it will also create a concert arena.

“There’s a floor that will be brought out to cover the grass for people to stand on.

“Nobody else has got something like this in North Wales. The area has been under used and this will be a great use of space.

“Obviously there will be jobs, but I’m not sure how many permanent positions there will be. I expect around 10 or 12.

“If we were to have a large concert there would be a need for more staff, such as security, which could be a good thing.”

Construction will begin early in the New Year. Funding for the project has also been secured from the Welsh Rugby Union along with the council’s own funds.

The Eirias Park development forms part of a masterplan to regenerate Colwyn Bay.

The plan includes an improved waterfront with links to the town centre.

Proposals put together by consultants DPP Shape involve a pedestrianised Station Square, with Princes Drive re-routed around a revamped railway station, leaving a flat open square to encourage a cafe culture at the bottom of Station Road.

A crescent walkway around the town and a new “iconic” building is also planned.

These plans form a framework for development over the next 15 years.