New £1.5m watersports centre opens
A NEW state-of-the-art water sports centre overlooking a popular Blue Flag South Wales beach has been officially opened.
The £1.5m facility overlooks Rest Bay in Porthcawl and there are hopes it could make the town a “leading coastal destination”.
The centre’s opening offered a first glimpse inside the modern building which has been purposebuilt for surfers, kayakers, canoeists and paddleboard fans, as well as cyclists and walkers.
Local experts, Porthcawl Surf School, will use the new centre as a base to offer year-round surf lessons and hire as well as stand-up paddle board lessons.
There is still work to do on the centre before it is fully up and running, but once completed it will boast a cafe, ice-cream kiosk, toilets, showers, changing cubicles and a function room.
Hugh Murray, owner of Porthcawl Surf School, is optimistic about the potential for the centre to become one of the best in the UK.
Mr Murray said: “We’re hugely excited to be unveiling Rest Bay’s new water sports centre. We believe that Porthcawl is among the best outdoor adventure destinations in the UK and our new centre will help more people discover this, while also helping educate visitors on the importance of coastal conservation.”
It’s not just about water sports – the centre will have a fleet of 30 vehicles for hire, including mountain bikes, fat bikes, ebikes, California cruisers and a beach wheelchair. Visitors will be able to join bike tours to points of interest throughout Porthcawl and Newton, as well as a tour based on the legends of Kenfig Dunes.
A new pedestrian crossing has been installed to link the centre and the beach and the project has also involved a revamp of the town’s historic harbour kiosk to provide improved facilities for boat users visiting Porthcawl Marina.
The centre has been built thanks to £1.5m of EU funding via the Welsh Government’s Tourism Attractor Destination programme.
Opening the centre, Lord-Elis Thomas, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: “I’m delighted to open this excellent new facility for the area.
“Our aim through the Tourism Attractor Destination programme is to focus efforts and investment on key projects in each region so we have a real impact on Wales’ profile in this globally competitive market.
“In order to be a leading coastal destination, we need to ensure that we have exemplary facilities and services for residents and visitors, and I’m sure that this development will give people compelling reasons to visit the area and will benefit both visitors and locals.”
Councillor Charles Smith, cabinet member for regeneration and education, said: “This fantastic new centre is going to provide Porthcawl with another iconic landmark and is certain to be a hit with visitors who will be able to take advantage of its many facilities while enjoying the stunning views and dramatic coastline of Rest Bay.
“The council and its partners remain committed towards delivering effective and high-quality regeneration in Porthcawl and the new watersports centre is going to play an important role in supporting this.”
Council leader Huw David added: “Rest Bay has long held a reputation as a superb destination for tourists and watersport enthusiasts, and the new centre is going to provide a richer, better visitor experience.
“I am grateful to Welsh Government and Visit Wales for this investment of EU funding. It is a sign of confidence in Porthcawl as a visitor destination, and I would like to congratulate everyone who has helped to deliver the new Rest Bay Watersports Centre.”