September 2007
Pwllheli Harbour Events Centre and Sailing Academy
Project description
Pwllheli is a market town situated on the south side of the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales. With its magnificent setting between the mountains of Snowdonia and Cardigan Bay, Pwllheli provides access to some of the best UK sailing waters and the marine sector provides a focus of attention and support for the local economy. A significant number of successful national and international sailing competitions have been held at Pwllheli Sailing Club in recent years highlighting its current importance and future potential as both an event centre and business.
Gwynedd Council recognise this potential and are keen to explore the potential to create a Sailing Academy and Events Centre, that will bring economic benefit to the area, support for the local maritime identity, enable educational activity and promote the Welsh identity.
Role of Marina Projects
As lead consultant, Marina Projects has been appointed by Gwynedd Council to complete a study that will result in the Preparation of concept proposals for the Pwllheli Harbour Events Centre and Sailing Academy. Leading a team that includes Morgan Carey Architects and Peter Brett Associates, the study work extends from development of a vision statement and objectives, through identification of a preferred concept to preparation of an outline business case.
The project is divided in to a number of key stages as follows:
- Gather and assess baseline information
- Consultation and involvement
- Generation of an overarching vision and sustainable development objectives
- Generate and assess alternative design solutions against objectives
- Visualisation/illustration of preferred concept proposals
- Formulisation of delivery solution
- Development of final concept proposals and outline business case
In order to effectively complete the study work and with a bias towards event activity, it has been necessary for Marina Projects to fully understand and analyse sailing classes, the sailing events market, training needs of elite sailors and the complimentary activities a centre could accommodate to support long-term viability. The consultation and involvement of Pwllheli Sailing Club, Welsh Yacht Association (WYA), Plas Menai and other stakeholders has been critical.
Marina Projects experience of the marine sector and its influences has lead to a better understanding of demands and opportunities which has in turn enabled a more considered approach which strives to maximise both the function and financial potential of the development.
Working closely with Morgan Carey Architects, a number of design concepts for development have been prepared that make best use of the site and the natural setting, whilst also addressing a number of constraints and operational issues that currently exist.
Deliverables of the study work include:
- Final concept proposal document (including plans)
- Design code
- Presentation material for public consultation
- Outline business case
- Implementation strategy
It is hoped that the completed development will confirm Pwllheli as a centre of excellence for sailing and world renowned sailing events location, whilst providing the local and wider community with a viable multi functional asset.