It's been a long, tough, five years in the making - but now the doors to Swansea's brilliant new arena are finally opening to the public.
After a successful "housewarming party" last week, Swansea Arena hosted VIPs and members of the press on Thursday, March 3, to formally open the Arena and the £135m Copr Bay leisure district.
At the opening, First minister Mark Drakeford said it was "wonderful" to see the new Swansea Arena development and praised all those involved in the planning, preparation and construction of the arena.
Read more: 'I went to the new Swansea Arena for its first warm-up event and this is what it was like'
"This is a very exciting time for the regeneration of Swansea and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to invest in these projects which will increase the connectivity between the city centre and the waterfront and provide Swansea with a state-of-the-art facility that will increase its ability to host major cultural and business events," he added. "I'd like to congratulate all partners on delivering this project in such difficult circumstances."
Leader of Swansea Council, Rob Stewart, thanked the council's partners and the Ambassador Theatre Group and noted that Copr Bay and Swansea Arena had been a momentous project with many people involved.
He said he "couldn't be prouder" to have been part of the development of the arena, which has been many years in the making, and labelled the site an "impressive, world-class venue".
"Swansea's back, it's rediscovered it's mojo!" he added. "Copr Bay represents our intent to deliver the extraordinary."
The launch event was hosted by Swansea's very own songwriting superstar Mal Pope and guests also heard from the UK parliamentary under secretary of state, David TC Davies, and the Welsh Government deputy minister for arts and sport, Dawn Bowden before a tour of the Copr Bay site and its facilities, ahead of its opening to the public on Friday, March 4.
Here's our reaction to the first look at Copr Bay inside and out:
The Copr Bay Bridge
Walking along the bridge in the wind is definitely an experience! The cars beneath you are quite loud, but it's great to have this accessible bridge connecting the city centre with the Copr Bay development.
If you're out in town for the day - or enjoying a bite to eat in the nearby restaurants when they open in Cupid Way in the coming months - you won't have to worry about navigating multiple lanes of traffic to get to the Arena, you can just walk or cycle along the bridge over Oystermouth Road.
We'd parked our car in the arena car park, but walked along the bridge to see what it was like. It's wide enough for a few people to walk in a row and the geometric-shaped holes in the sides of the bridge mean you can look out across Swansea and the road below, if you wish. We really liked this, it's great to look across Swansea from up above.
City-born artist Marc Rees came up with the idea of having 2,756 laser-cut origami shapes on the bridge’s side panels.
Friedrich Ludewig, design director for ACME, the architects who created the bridge with Mr Rees, said previously: “The new bridge is a true piece of international innovation for Swansea.
“The iconic arch stabilises the super-slender bridge deck and creates a new urban space floating over the road, enclosed by patterned steel offering glimpses across the road, the arena and the new coastal park. Until now, Oystermouth Road was for cars, not people. The bridge will be a stepping stone for a greener and more liveable Swansea city centre.”
Reaction to the bridge in its early days was pretty mixed, it has to be said, with one much-read comment comparing it with a Crunchie bar, although this was before the structure had blended in fully with the new arena development, and the structure certainly caused a 'wow' moment when the structure was lit up, albeit with temporary lighting.
And walking along the bridge to get to the Arena gives you the best first view of the Arena itself. As you come out of the bridge, you're met with a striking golden structure, with funky graphics projected onto the front and big glass doors ready to open to welcome you inside.
Swansea Arena
After walking along the bridge, it's onto the main event at Copr Bay: Swansea Arena.
Run by Ambassador Theatre Group, this arena has the space to host 3,500 people - and plans to host hundreds of different music, theatre and comedy performances, as well as dozens of conferences, conventions and events, throughout the year. Every year.
First impressions
Right from the foyer you feel like you're in a very classy, sophisticated establishment. While the arena will definitely have something for everyone this year, it feels like somewhere you'd want to wear your glad rags and make an effort for an evening out.
The foyer is decorated with hues of black and gold, which is echoed on the outside of the building and in the meeting rooms and bars inside. As you come into the arena, there's plenty of signs telling you where to find the cloakroom, the loos, the bars, the meeting rooms and the VIP areas.
To the left of the foyer area, you'll find the cloakroom and the lifts, and to the right a reception desk - and you'll be hard-pressed to miss the bar which is just next to the reception desk on the right hand-side as you come in through the front doors. For a full list of items on sale at the bar, and those important prices, scroll down.
There's a spiral staircase on the left-hand side which takes you to the ground-floor level, which has two well-equipped bars and loos, and the main entrance to the standing-area for the arena, whilst grand doors on the foyer level take guests into the seated-area of the arena.
The seats
The plush, comfortable seats are all different shades of red, which gives the auditorium area a theatre-feel, while there's plenty of space for wheelchair-users and those that wish to sit with them in between the "bleacher" seating (first section of tiered seating) and the main section of seating.
All the seats in this main auditorium area face forwards - so you don't have to worry about getting a poor seat and struggling to see the stage. That won't be a problem at all!
If an event at the arena is a "standing" one, the main ground-floor level won't have any seats. Instead, people will be able to stand to enjoy the performance, and performers will be kept safe by a barrier at the edge of the stage.
A "seated" event - such as the upcoming performance from comedian John Bishop - would see additional seating pulled out from underneath the permanent seating, to give hundreds more seats in the front of the auditorium, where people would usually stand.
This pulling of the seats is done mechanically, staff said. At the touch of a button - and within just five minutes - rows of seating will come out from underneath the permanent seating, and rest in neat rows towards the stage.
As well as this main seating area, there's a row of individual cinema-style seats on either side of the main area, close to the stage. These are the "VIP areas". VIP tickets come at an additional price, understandably, but also include access to a private VIP lounge and a separate entrance to the Arena itself. Fancy.
The stage
We were fortunate enough to go up on the stage and have a walk around!
I think performers will enjoy performing here, as the structure of the Arena means people on stage can really see out into the audience - perhaps giving gigs and performances more of an intimate feel.
The stage itself is "modular," staff said. This means it can be made to the exact shape, size and other specifications required by an artist or performer.
This could mean performers feel more at-home on the stage, as it can be designed just the way they want it.
Find out about things going on where you live:
The meeting rooms
Swansea Arena has ten meeting rooms that anyone can book via the reception desk in the foyer.
They range in size but all have tables, chairs, screens and multiple plug sockets.
Some even have moveable walls, so you could split up some of the larger rooms into smaller rooms for part of your meeting, if you wished.
The meeting rooms are each named after different former councillors from Swansea Council, which gave the otherwise quite business-meeting rooms more of a warm, local feeling.
There's big windows in the meeting rooms, so they each offer lovely views outside - though I do wonder if people outside could become a distraction to a big, serious meeting!
The bars
One of the most important parts of attending a concert or event: the refreshments!
It should be noted that all of the bars are cashless. So if you want to buy a drink, you'll need a credit or debit card or a smartphone with a working payment service.
The VIP area had a small kitchen area where refreshments could be prepared, and there was a small area with cabinets for food items on the left hand side of the foyer during the launch event - though no food was on sale at the time.
As well as the bar in the foyer, there are two bars on the ground floor of the Arena, before the entrance doors to the Arena, another bar on the top floor of the Arena (outside the auditorium) and two bars inside the auditorium on the ground floor.
The bars have Budweiser, Bud Light, Magners and Shipwreck on draught, and a long list of wines, spirits and soft drinks.
We thought the prices were a bit high generally-speaking, but it's fair to say they're typical of what you'd usually pay at an arena or concert hall.
A price list at one of the bars stated the following prices:
Beer and cider on draught: Budweiser, Bud Light or Magners - half pint for £3.50, one pint for £5, Shipwreck - half pint for £4, one pint for £5.50
Beer and ciders by bottle: Doom Bar 500ml: £5, Magners Dark Fruit 500ml: £5, Gower Gold 500ml: £5, Stella Artois 0.0% 330ml: £3, Gower Light 330ml: £3.
Wine: White (Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc) - 175ml between £7 and £10, 250ml between £8 and £11, bottle between £17 and £19; Rose (Zinfandel, Pinot Blush) - 175ml between £7 and £8, 250ml between £8 and £9, bottle between £17 and £19.
Red: (Merlot, Malbec) - 175ml between £7 and £8, 250ml between £8 and £9, bottle between £17 and £19
A 125ml glass is also available, on request.
If you fancy champagne or prosecco, you can buy Vitelli Prosecco for £7 for a 125ml glass, or £27 for the bottle.
Vitelli Rose Prosecco is £8 for a 125ml glass, or £30 for the bottle. And a bottle of Moet Chandon is £60.
There's also a range of spirits available, including Absolut, Beefeater, Aviation Gin, Barcardi, Jack Daniel's and Penderyn. These range from £5.50 to £6.50 for a 25ml serving, between £7 and £8 for a 50ml serving, and between £8 and £9 for a 50ml serving with mixer.
Mixers available included Britvic Orange Juice 200ml and Britvic Ginger Ale 200ml, for £2 each, Pepsi Max for £1.29, 7-Up Free for £1.20, Tonic for £1.20 or Fever-Tree Tonic for £2, to name a few.
Soft drinks available include Pepsi, Pepsi Max, Lemonade and Tango Orange sugar-free at. These are priced between £2.20 and £2.30 for half a pint, and between £2.80 and £2.90 for a pint.
Bottled water, J2O orange and passionfruit and other bottled soft drinks are also available, priced between £2.50 and £3.20
Coastal Park
The Coastal Park will open to the public next week. Here you'll find benches to sit on and relax, a wide range of trees and plants, tower viewers (those standing binocular things that give you a zoomed-in view of what's in front of you), a table tennis table and a draught/chess board.
I can imagine in the summer months, the area will be busy with people of all ages.
The restaurants
The largest restaurant in the Copr Bay district is "The Green Room Restaurant and Bar," which takes its name from the place actors and performers go backstage at a theatre or arena to relax, socialise or have something to eat and drink.
While it's unlikely performers will visit The Green Room restaurant instead of their own exclusive green room backstage, the restaurant already looks charming and sophisticated - and construction work hasn't even finished yet.
As well as inviting outdoor seating, the restaurant will also have its own mini-stage area set to host live performances from local and up-and-coming performers.
The venue is being run by Swansea siblings Ryan and Lucy Hole, who also own The Secret Bar and Kitchen on Swansea beach and Castellamare Italian restaurant in Mumbles.
Ryan explained previously: "The green room is a place where performers go to before they go onto the main stage, and we were looking for a name which would play on that.
"Our aim is to be as sustainable as possible, as that is something we are already very passionate about in our other venue. We buy as many of our supplies as possible from local suppliers, and we want to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible. We are trying to eliminate single use plastics, our serviettes and coffee cups are compostable, and over time we will improve when more opportunities become available.
"The Green Room will also have its own performance area to host live musicians, performers, poets and comedians. It's a romantic notion really to give up and coming talent the chance to perform just a stone's throw from the arena, and perhaps look over and think one day they will be able to take to the stage at Swansea Arena".
WalesOnline understands The Green Room Restaurant and Bar is expected to open in late-March/early-April.
As well as this, the Copr Bay district will house a frozen-yoghurt cafe, a sweet shop and Korean fried chicken restaurant.
Each of these will be based in "Cupid Way", a new street that's been named after Cyril Cupid, the first Welshman to do a “100-yard dash in under 10 seconds,” who gained recognition in the 1930s for winning numerous titles on the athletic track.
Outlining what the new venues will offer, a spokesperson for Swansea Council previously said: “Frozziyo Frozen Yoghurt will allow customers to help themselves to a range of flavoured frozen yoghurt from self-service machines and a wide range of toppings and sauces.
“It will be led by Katharine Partner, who is also managing director of Swansea-based Rock the Dragon – a dance shop and nationwide merchandise business.
“Imperial Candy will provide customers with a wide range of sweet treats and will be headed up by local businessman Ammar Alabtah, who also owns Imperial Desserts in Swansea’s High Street.
“KoKoDoo Korean Fried Chicken is an award-winning franchise launched in London in 2006, offering a range of fresh, Korean-inspired fried chicken dishes and sides. It will be led by Graham Baister, who is also director of Swansea-based Sweet Footwear Ltd and Oak & Hyde Boots.”
WalesOnline understands these restaurants are set to be built and developed in the next few months, and should open in early summer, 2022.
Parking
Swansea Arena has its own car park, accessed from Oystermouth Road. This car park will open to the public in time for comedian John Bishop's performance.
If you're coming from Gower, look out for a right-hand lane as you pass the Tesco car park, with its own traffic light telling you when to turn to the right, into the Arena car park.
If you're coming from the Swansea Stadium or Port Talbot directions, you'll see the entrance to the car park on your left, just after you've driven past the LC leisure centre.
This car park's full name is "Bae Copr Bay South long stay car park" and parking charges are applicable Monday to Saturday from 8am to 11.59pm, including Bank Holidays.
There are no concessions for Blue Badge holders.
Parking for up to one hour is £1.40, up to two hours is £2.80 and up to three hours is £4. Up to four hours is £5.50 and it's £2.20 for each hour after four hours.
From midnight to 7.59am it's £3.
Overall, what did we think?
Just walking into the Arena felt like you were entering a really special place - and sitting in the auditorium had the intimacy and welcoming feel you'd associate with a theatre, with the grandeur of a stadium or much-larger arena. It had the best of both worlds.
The arena was clean and it was warm in temperature and atmosphere. Staff were friendly and whilst the drink prices did seem a bit steep compared to what you'd usually pay in a local restaurant or pub, it's probably what you'd expect to pay in an arena like this!
In terms of what the arena is like when a performance is on, WalesOnline senior reporter Nino Williams visited the Arena for its warm up "housewarming" event on Friday, February 25, and said there was a "buzz in the air" all evening.
The event was designed to give managers, staff and lucky members of the public a trial run of what a gig would be like at the huge arena.
Recalling what it was like to watch and hear a music performance in the arena, Nino said: "Outside, almost 100,000 LED lights lit up the building's gold-coloured panels, announcing to the world the arena was open for business - what a feeling it must have been for the evening's performers to see their bands' name up in lights.
"Inside, it felt like a different city. The concourse hummed, curiosity filled the auditorium. Everyone, it seemed, acutely aware they were in on the very first night of a little bit of the city's history.
"First night; the first song played, the first band to perform, the first to headline. And the first audience to let down their hair and show their appreciation in their uniquely Swansea way. Coming after the slow crawl back to post-pandemic normality made it taste even sweeter.
"The sound seemed impressive to these untrained ears; the audience is close to the 'infinity' stage creating a discernible relationship with the performers." For Nino's full review of the housewarming event, go here
What else is coming?
The first phase of the development has been completed, with the Copr Bay Bridge, Coastal Park and Swansea Arena and its facilities all ready and waiting to welcome the public. The main car park has also been completed.
In a few weeks time, The Green Room Restaurant and Bar will open, and a few months later the other eateries will open to the public.
Many apartments are almost ready to be filled, and further apartments will be built in the near future.
The second phase of the Copr Bay Development, which aims to be finished in the next five years, will see further housing and a hotel built in the area.
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