The brand new Cardiff International White Water (CIWW) based at the Cardiff International Sports Village will open its doors to the public for the first time on March 27th.
The new centre will provide the UK with its first Olympic-standard pumped water canoe slalom course, offering canoeing and white water rafting facilities ranging from starter to recreational, through to full international competition use and is expected to attract up to 50,000 users per year once fully established.
Costing £13.3m the new 250m course was designed by French company, HydroStadium, who have worked on similar courses for the Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympics. Construction of the CIWW has taken less than two years and has been undertaken by Dean and Dyball Civil Engineering (Wales).
The centre has been constructed in concrete with moveable plastic barriers to create a range of different courses suitable for users, with a range of competencies. The venue can hold up to 2,000 spectators on temporary stands for special events.
CIWW has been developed by Cardiff Council with assistance from the Welsh Assembly Government and the Welsh Canoe Association.
Cardiff Harbour Authority will be managing the new centre on behalf of the Council which will also have a café bar and retail outlet selling water activity clothing and equipment.
The centre aims to be one of Cardiff top tourism destinations and have a number of recreational offers in place, with the centre also developing a number of partnerships with Cardiff hotels to offer CIWW visitors special deals and packages to enjoy all that the city has to offer
Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Rodney Berman said: “The new Cardiff International White Water (CIWW) will provide the city with a host of new opportunities and I am positive it will become one of Wales’ top tourism venues, attracting local visitors and those from further field, ensuring a boost to the local tourist sector and economy.
“As an olympic-standard facility our aim is to attract major sporting events and athletes and I hope Cardiff International White Water will be utilised as a training ground for the 2012 London Olympics.
“Alongside major competitions, the centre will support grassroots level events, which will allow a new generation to take up Water sports.”
Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Nigel Howells, said:” The Cardiff International White Water is the latest additional to the International Sports Village and I am sure it will mirror the success of the facilities already available, including Cardiff International Pool.
“The CIWW provides a new platform to expand Cardiff’s already highly regarded reputation as world class sporting hosts and we hope to attract top water events.
“Having had the privilege of being one of the first to try out the course I am positive it will become a firm favourite with people of all abilities and will become a top tourist destination for adrenaline seekers across the UK and beyond.”
