Bournemouth’s Daily Echo have obtained email records under the Freedom of Information Act, which appear to suggest that a water park is a frontrunner for the waterfront IMAX site.

The records show that a company called Moirai Capital Investments approached Bournemouth council last May with the idea of opening an indoor surfing centre in the controversial seafront building.

Following a meeting with the council, architects’ plans were submitted for an attraction described as “a combination of covered slides, freeform pools, water activities, indoor surfing and high-quality relaxation areas.”

Council leader Stephen MacLoughlin confirmed that an indoor surfing facility is one of the many options currently being analysed for the IMAX site. Results of the public consultation will be released later this month.

He added:

The public consultation process will feed in to how we take our ideas for the Imax site forward. This particular organisation (Moirai) may or may not feature in the next steps.

They certainly don’t have any preferential inside track with the council. We’re determined to get the best possible deal for the town, both in terms of the functions that will happen on that site but also in terms of the design of the building.