A new windsurfing and paddleboarding school could soon open at Weston-super-Mare’s seafront lake - which is just 45 minutes from Bristol.
Since the Wave opened on the outskirts of our city, Bristolians have flocked to the attraction to learn to surf, with many taking up annual memberships. Soon locals will have another option for watersports, as North Somerset Council has spent £300,000 on transforming Marine Lake over the last year.
The work, which started last Spring, has been carried out as part of the authority’s Great Lakes Project. Funding for additional improvements has now been secured after the council won £20 million from the Government’s levelling up fund.
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Infrastructure will be put in place to allow new concessions to set up such as a cafe facility and kiosks. Cash generated from the rental from concessions will be pumped into funding the ongoing costs and maintenance of the lake.
North Somerset Council executive member for placemaking and economy Councillor Mark Canniford said: “We have already had interest from companies interested in setting up a windsurfing school and paddleboard lessons at Marine Lake. This would be a great addition to the offering at the lake.
"Marine Lake needs to be an attraction for everyone. The idea is for the council to do the work to attract new concessions to the lake.
“The income from the concessions would then go towards the costs of the ongoing maintenance of the lake. As a council we need to develop a long term financial plan for the lake to continue to secure its future as an attraction for the town.”
Marine Lake is currently closed for repairs to be carried on the grate over the sluice gates which was damaged in recent storms. It is hoped the lake, which opened in the 1920s, will re-open on February 7 when the work is completed and it is refilled by overtopping tides.
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