(Pic : EPT Partnership via Bridgend County Borough Council) |
As part of joint BCBC-EU plans to develop Porthcawl as a premier regional resort, a new watersports centre is to be provided overlooking Rest Bay. Plans were submitted earlier this week (here).
In the design notes (pdf), BCBC requested the Watersports Centre: maximises views of the coast, is better looking than what’s already there, mustn’t exceed three storeys in height and is a “landmark development of exceptional quality”.
Rest Bay is already popular with surfers and it’s hoped the new centre will create a “year-round hive of watersports activity”.
The new solar-powered, “iconic” glazed building will replace Malc’s Cafe and public toilets near the Rest Bay car park. It’ll include a new cafe/function room on the first floor, a retail kiosk on the ground floor, showers and changing cubicles, a covered dog walker’s area, public toilets on both the ground and first floor, as well as space for local watersports groups and clubs. The building will also be fully accessible for the disabled.
It’s unclear how much the centre will cost, but it’s likely to take up a significant chunk of the £2.6million originally allocated for the resort development programme.