A £6.5m sports and entertainment venue for Colwyn Bay is set to go ahead following an EU funding boost, First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones announced today (29 October 2010).
Parc Eirias Events Centre has received £4.8m backing 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 Rygbi Gogledd Cymru/ North Wales Rugby.
The First Minister said: “Wales is now winning a world-wide 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,” Mr Jones said.
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 all the community including conference and classroom facilities for business and commerce events, as well as 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. Additional parking will be available.
Cllr Dilwyn Roberts, Leader, Conwy County Borough Council: “I am delighted that the bid for Assembly and European funding has been successful. 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.”
Iwan Davies, Acting Corporate Director: “We believe these proposals along with others in the Bay Life+ Programme can stimulate investment in the area, support business stability and result in new employment and prosperity for the local population. We’re determined Bay Life will achieve its aim – to make Colwyn Bay a modern, vibrant centre for commerce, tourism, employment and leisure.”
Cllr Graham Rees, Cabinet Member for Corporate Modernisation said: “This is very exciting, the funding approval means we can move forward with our plans for Parc Eirias, building on the recent rugby success with the WRU and Rygbi Gogledd Cymru, and offer something for everyone.”
Construction to build the unique facility will begin early in the New Year.
Funding for Conwy County Borough Council’s project has also been secured from the Welsh Rugby Union along the with the council’s own funds.
