We've been asked by the Developer responsible for the Marine Lake redevelopment for our views on the scheme http://www.iwindsurf.co.uk/news/north_west/carpenter_investments.html.

So as a starter for 10, my twopen'th....

- Lovely turfed rigging area or something less abrasive that tarmac/concrete
- Bigger lake - would be lovely - particularly for the speed freaks
- Bigger changing rooms - surely a no brainer
- Hoses for rinsing gear.
- Wet Bar- for mid session breaks
- Resturant/Coffee Shop/Bar - for Apres-Surf.
- Creche to dump the ankle biters, when it your turn to baby sit !!!!!!
- NO jetties on the Wall (MarkH)
- Build in the existing or a new WebCam facility
- Consistant f5/6

I was down on my bike last Saturday on coldish January afternoon and the car park was heaving, in summer it will be full so we need adequate car park spaces. Consume more of the beach ? Dunno ?

If the redeveloment is successful then all of the above become really important, as there will be even more people down, want to park, rig, change, spend money....etc


oh some form of non intrusive, non wind blocking lighting for night sailing !!! (oh dear I appear to be living in a fantasy world again.......)

Agree with everything on your list Ernie

Top priority for me has got to be parking/rigging space, there needs to be at least as much room for LAKE USERS as there is now with additional parking created for hotel customers.
Rigging surface would be good - next to the water with access to the tide and the lake - grass would look nice but might get muddy/covered in dog doo.

Couple of things worth pointing out to the developers - if extending the lake is possible (within the remit) it would allow a 500 m speed course that would attract international events and publicity - just take a look at the driven by wind event going on right now at South end - got to be a good thing for revenue especially as any speed event is likely to be in Autumn/Winter when West Kirby is not exactly attractive to most visitors

Actually enforcing the parking/lake license payment would generate a lot more income than the council seems to currently get. An automated barrier with suitable day and season passes would do it

I don't see why this development needs to be funded by a hotel, are n't there other means of funding this scheme? How much as the developers spending on the new facilities?

Rant:
I live in West Kirby and do not want a Hotel on front period (even though I am a big believer in progress).

I cannot believe anybody from West Kirby or the surrounding area can benefit.

West Kirby is such a nice place due to it's quaintness. Building a modern hotel on the front will do nothing to add value to this beautiful area. This is not Blackpool and nor should it ever be! The people that may benefit are the chafs that will follow setting up there businesses such as arcades....

Facts:

The carpark and facilities do need updating. This would add value to the area.

People come to West Kirby in their droves to walk around the lake which is in total disrepair. Renewing the wall and making the lake larger would add value benefiting the general public.

Entering into dialogue with the developer is a good move if we truly believe:

1) They have any real intention of investing in facilties outside of their Hotel (would you)?

2) They have any authority to implement ideas

It is true I do not know the answers to either of these questions.

I have been in touch with a local paper who is willing to do a scoop on windsurfing if anybody is interested?

Look forward to your response .

CaptainNemo wrote:
Rant:
I live in West Kirby and do not want a Hotel on front period (even though I am a big believer in progress).

I cannot believe anybody from West Kirby or the surrounding area can benefit.

West Kirby is such a nice place due to it's quaintness. Building a modern hotel on the front will do nothing to add value to this beautiful area. This is not Blackpool and nor should it ever be! The people that may benefit are the chafs that will follow setting up there businesses such as arcades....


With Donald trump possibly investing in Hoylake golf course and The Royal Liverpool just over the road I suspect the Golf set are more the likely cliental than scallies/chav's Not to mention the Sailing lots visiting WKSC. At between £140 to £350 a night I'd suspect those staying over will not be unpacking shell suits on their arrival. As to arcades, thats a planning decison and frankly there is again a demographic mismatch between arcade goers and people forking out that kind of money on a hotel room.

I understand the uncertainty of planning apps on your back door (been there done that) but, looking a bit deeper this seems a good proposal....

I understand were CaptionNemo is comming from as there is a real danger of WK getting a few bruisers and getting more dissadvantages than benefits. A developement of this scale is going to mean change for all of us in some shape or form. Even though I'm not a WK resident & live in Oxton, I would prefer things to be left alone (maybe a new shower room, but thats all). I can sympathis with local residents feeling strongly against any large scale developement.

Not wanting to sound negative, I think it would be very nieve (Ooops, feel a spelling mistake comming on) of us to not have a slightly cynical (another spelling mistake) take on this, and to remember that we are dealing with a commercial outfit intending to make profit (not a dirty word in business).

I think Max's idea of having one spokes man/woman is an exellent idea as it will help to ensure that we are all singing the same song. I think we should start thinking of who that should be.

I personally can think of loads of things to improve the windsurfing scene but only three are real important to keep things good. I would like the lake left alone (IE not jetties on the wall etc), similar size parking area and an improved changing room (maybe a bit bigger). If we keep are request low, we stand more chance of getting them.