Work set to begin on Porthcawl’s new £1.5m watersports centre

Work is due to begin on Porthcawl’s all-new watersports centre at Rest Bay following an announcement that EU funding of £1.5m will be invested in the project.

The funding is being made available as part of Welsh Government’s new Tourism Attractor Destination programme, which has been launched by Visit Wales to create 13 must-see tourist destinations.

Designed to appeal to watersports enthusiasts throughout South Wales and beyond, the new centre at Rest Bay will provide a base for local groups and clubs as well as offering enhanced café and toilet facilities, showers, changing cubicles, a retail kiosk, a function room and more.

With a building design that incorporates solar technology, a covered area for dog walkers and glazed panels to make the most out of the stunning coastal views, the new centre will be fully accessible and will welcome visitors to Rest Bay as a new landmark structure.

A new pedestrian crossing will be installed to establish a safer link between the centre and the famous Blue Flag-winning beach, and the project also includes ongoing work to refurbish the historic harbour kiosk so that it can provide facilities for boat users visiting Porthcawl Marina.

A schedule for the project is being finalised to ensure that it causes as little disruption as possible.

As the centre will be constructed on the site of the existing Rest Bay building, temporary toilet facilities will be available in the sports pavilion located at the rear of the car park area, and a kiosk has been provided so that the current cafe tenant can continue to operate while the work is underway.

We are delighted to be part of the Tourism Attractor Destination programme, and are looking forward to the creation of an all-new iconic visitor attraction in Porthcawl. Porthcawl’s coast and beaches have a long history of attracting residents and visitors. Newton Bay recently hosted the 2018 AquaX power boat races, and Rest Bay has long held a reputation as being one of the best surf beaches that the UK can offer.

Almost four million residents live within a two-hour drive of the area, and the new centre at Rest Bay will tap into the growing popularity of sea-based sport and leisure activities to create a uniquely-placed watersports destination. Rest Bay offers real potential as a uniquely-placed destination for surfing in Wales, and the centre forms part of the council’s overall efforts to regenerate and transform Porthcawl into a thriving 21st century coastal resort.

Together with the refurbishment of the marina building and other regeneration projects that are taking place throughout the town, the Tourism Attractor Destination programme is supporting the council’s overall efforts to transform Porthcawl into a thriving 21st century coastal resort.

Councillor Charles Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development and chair of the Bridgend Coastal Partnership

Lord Elis Thomas, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, said: “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. This development will give people compelling reasons to visit the area, and will benefit both visitors and locals with improved connections between exciting developments around Porthcawl.”

The new Rest Bay water sports centre is expected to be complete in time for summer 2019. In total, the Tourism Attractor Destination programme has been approved with £27.7m ERDF towards a total project cost of £61.8m that will see thirteen strategic infrastructure projects realised up to 2021.