In many ways, it’s been a very successful year with great progress having been made on the surf reef project. It’s also been very challenging, with delays, rising costs and some disappointment for surf reef supporters and local business operators.
The crucial base layer of the reef is now complete. However, the top layer of geotextile bags which form the wave-making section have yet to be deployed.
Work is set to resume in the spring when fairer weather conditions and longer daylight hours will allow construction to continue safely. We will also see the derelict Overstrand building converted into luxury beach huts or ’surf pods’, the construction of ‘Urban Reef’ restaurant and cafe, ‘Sorted’ surf shop and surf school.
We are all looking forward to the completion of this innovative, landmark project. In the mean time, we’d like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2009!
The South Coast Surfing Championships have been called off due to a poor swell forecast. The contest is now due to take place on 28th February and 1st March 2009, with longer days and more chance of surf.
The organisers, Wessex Surf Club, Bournemouth Surfing Centre, Bournemouth Surf School, Sorted Surf Shop, A1Surf and Bournemouth Council have taken the decision to delay the contest until the new year due to a lack of contestable surf.
Contest Director, Paul Clarke of Bournemouth Surfing Centre said:
This is a showcase event for South Coast Surfing and we want to make sure the competitors are pushed to their limits and spectators are entertained. Neither of these looked to be on the cards this weekend.
With venues booked and competitors travelling from all over the country the decision was not an easy one to make.
Three successful local businesses, all already based in Boscombe, have won prestigious and lucrative contracts for retail and catering outlets in Boscombe, as part of the major £10 million regeneration project.
The refurbished Overstrand building will see “Urban Reef” restaurant and café, operated by the owners of boutique Boscombe hotel Urban Beach. “Sorted” will operate a surf shop and separate surf school within the Overstrand. Rob Shearman of Rob’s Event Catering will be bringing “Reefside” catering, newsagents and beach goods to Boscombe Pier entrance, as part of the ongoing seafront refurbishment.
The interiors of Urban Reef, Sorted Surf Shop and Reefside are currently being designed and will all open in April 2009. Building on the success of Boscombe’s regeneration scheme, the new facilities and services will complement the “surf pods” or super beach huts being created in the Overstrand. The Overstrand will also host an RNLI beach lifeguard station, public showers, toilets and changing facilities and events office.
Cllr Beverley Dunlop, Cabinet Member for Economy and Tourism said:
These selections were made at the end of an extensive tender process and each of these companies clearly demonstrated innovative approaches to customer service, facilities, and investment as well as a commitment to developing Boscombe as a quality resort in its own right.
We are delighted that successful local businesses proved to be the best for the job. The opportunities open to these companies are immense and we look forward to their opening next April. It is testament that local businesses have further recognised the potential that Boscombe has and are prepared to invest significantly and play their part in making that happen.
- December 08 – Work finished on Boscombe Pier Approach roads and roundabouts
- Jan/ Feb 09 – Release of first phase of super beach huts off plan
- April 09 – Urban Reef restaurant & cafe, Sorted Surf Shop and school, Reefside Catering open
- End Sept 09 – Weather dependant anticipated completion of surf reef
Press release courtesy of Bournemouth Tourism.
The base layer of Bournemouth’s innovative artificial surf reef is approximately the size of a football pitch and is now complete. The 37 specially designed geo-textile bags that create the base layer have been anchored to the sea bed and pumped hard with more than 7,000m3 of sand.
Further to the confirmation last week that the weather was continuing to cause problems, Bournemouth Council and ASR Ltd have now agreed to suspend construction for the winter, as the shorter days and winter weather do not permit long enough working sessions for safe and effective construction on this major underwater project. ASR has agreed that they will set up back on site next April, when weather conditions are more favourable again.
Difficult weather conditions over the summer months brought about a later than anticipated start to the project, with the first bags being deployed on-site on Friday 29th August. This has inevitably had a knock-on effect to the anticipated completion date, and ASR Ltd believes that the expected weather conditions over the winter months will make it impossible to complete the reef this year, as originally planned.
Dr Shaw Mead of ASR explains:
Although conditions recently have been good and the base layer has been completed to design, the late start to construction has really set us back.
The days now are short, the sea temperature is getting colder and there are stronger currents, meaning we have to limit the amount of time our divers can spend underwater.
With the crucial base layer now complete and the onset of winter weather, it makes good sense to pause now and allow the base layer to settle into the sea bed. We are all looking forward to returning next year to complete this innovative, landmark project for the Council.
The ASR team have now packed up their equipment and are set to return in April 2009, with completion by September 2009.
Cllr Beverley Dunlop, Cabinet Member for Economy and Tourism said:
We are really pleased that this pioneering regeneration scheme is not being held back by the recession. A new seafront venue is being created on our doorstep which will continue to boost the local economy for decades to come.
Our commitment remains as strong as ever. I’m delighted that we’ve reached this significant milestone by continuing the land-based elements and completing the base layer of the reef. I know that many residents and in particular the local surfing community, Boscombe traders and hoteliers have been watching this fascinating project closely and are as keen as I am to see it completed. But I also know that they recognise that this is a long-term investment and will share my determination to get this right and bring a reef to Boscombe that the town can be proud of, and bring the economic and regeneration benefits.
The sand required for filling the remaining bags was obtained as part of the beach replenishment programme in 2008 and will remain on the beach over the winter period. It will be stockpiled on a small section of the beach at the reef site in the spring, ready for the filling of the top layer. The bags for the top layer will be securely stored over the winter.
Thanks to Bournemouth Tourism for the latest update.
