Plans for sailing centre unveiled in Bognor Regis

The surf and chalet experience is among the proposals being looked at in a major study into building a watersports centre on the town's seafront.

Work on the in-depth investigation into whether the major attraction will be viable has just started.

It will be completed by the end of this year. Councillors will view the proposals in late January 2011. A decision about whether to proceed in principle with the project will be made just two months later.

The prospect of Bognor making better use of its Channel frontage has been welcomed by Butlins' resort director Jeremy Pardey.

He said his company was keen to complement its traditional activities with those out on the waves.

"The number two reason for people wanting to come to our resorts is the seaside and because they want to enjoy the sea," he said.

"Billy Butlins was brilliant in many ways, but he built his resort back to front. Our intention is to make the sea part of our resort.

"This is fundamentally what we are about, whether it's a kayak, a little yacht or a sailing dinghy. This is what guests are telling us they want to do and they are telling us that in big numbers."

Butlins is spending 20,000 on the study. Further equal funding is being provided by Arun District Council and the University of Chichester.

The university's officers and undergraduates will be carrying out the intense period of research.

They have begun by studying watersport activities in places such as Hayling Island, Bournemouth and Brighton.

Also under consideration will be the possibility of using part of the shore for sports such as beach volleyball.

Andy Dixon, the university's head of research and employer engagement, said: "The university is really committed to this project and really excited about the way it brings together the work we have already done with the council and Butlins."

It would build on the 8m investment in the university's Bognor campus and was a sign of its growing involvement with the town, he said.

Gillian Brown, Arun's leader, said the study was a sign of true partnership.

"I am really pleased we have managed to get this off the ground. I hope it proves the watersports centre to be positive and financially viable and we do move forward.

"For the long term, I think we have to use the sea to our advantage."

The feasibility study was originally agreed in March 2009 but was postponed because of pressure of work at the partners.

The renewed commitment to speed up the study was given at Monday's meeting of the district council's Bognor sub-committee.

A motion by sub-committee chairman Norman Dingemans to welcome the study and hope it progressed to a watersports centre was agreed by members.

A world-class standard watersports centre in an iconic and environmentally friendly building is envisaged for Bognor Regis.

It extends over the promenade to provide a stunning view for customers of a cafe which attracts those who have been on the water and those content to stay dry.

Those are the ideas behind the study which has just started.

The centre's intended location is on the two Gloucester Road car parks. One is owned by Butlins and the other by Arun District Council.

The council's seafront strategy envisages: "The centre may provide kite surfing, jet skiing, a scuba school and other activities to residents, visitors and students of the University of Chichester.

"It is important to note the cafe should be viewed as an addition to the whole seafront offer, not just the watersports centre."

This would allow it to become an attraction in its own right. Richard McMann, who heads Arun's regeneration work in Bognor, said the study was crucial to deciding if the centre could be run without a subsidy.

It was important it acted as a catalyst for people to visit Bognor. "The seafront is a key aspect of the town and we really should make more of the sea to encourage people here.

"The more people use the centre, the more likely they are to stay in the town, visit the town centre and spend more money here," he said.

But it was also vital the centre became an attraction for residents to keep their spending local.

He said the views of Felpham Sailing Club and Bognor Regis Yacht Club would be sought.