Watersplash To Get £10m Makeover

Jimmy · 11-06-2008, 01:12 PM

One of Jersey's best known venues is set to receive a £10 million make-over.

The Watersplash, bar and diner in St Ouen's Bay could become one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Island.

The new site would incorporate a split level bar and restaurant, chalet accommodation, surfing academy and a six foot standing wave attraction known as the The Wave House. But the entire development has been designed to blend in with the natural environment and provide a haven for surfing fans world wide.

So what's the vision? The current bar, restaurant would be split over two levels and chalet accommodation would be added. At the heart of the development is the surfing community. Plans to incorporate a six foot standing wave attraction would mean all year round activity. It's event lead tourism like this, that David Seymour believes is the way forward for Jersey. He told Channel TV:

"I think it's absolutely vital. Not only is it vital for the continuation of the Watersplash but actually in terms of what it can do for tourism is also very important. We're passionate believers in tourism in Jersey and there's all sorts of angels on tourism in Jersey, but one of the ones which we don't really seem to home in on is event lead tourism. This is a way which we think, that for events in St Ouen's Bay, could be almost world attractions."

Dominic Cull, one of the leading architects from the Eden Project has designed the Watersplash to harmonise with the local environment. He said: "The critical thing is to blend it into the environment and it's absolutely about the scale. Jersey has got this Northern European beach feel to it and I think that whatever we do here has to be that and the building has got to be very simple and bold and fit in with this dune community.

The Seymour Group is hoping the wave of public opinion banks in their favour. Plans are available at the Watersplash, until the end of the week.

UserName · 11-06-2008, 02:22 PM

Much as I resist change and like things to stay comfortably the same, I think this sounds like a great plan. It's a bit too scruffy there at the moment, and so long as prices don't climb too much to pay for it... hell yeah... go for it

What's next for redevelopment down there... the Chateau, I wonder?

Jimmy · 11-06-2008, 04:04 PM

Its about time they did something with the Watersplash, this could be a great development for the place and the people who go down there. The only thing I would worry about is, as a nightclub as it is at the moment, would this change? If they are planning a restaurant they would not be very happy with music belting out while people are trying to eat. Is this the end of the splash as we know it?

goody · 11-06-2008, 09:18 PM

But does that mean the end of another Jersey nightclub ?

Smiffy · 12-06-2008, 11:11 AM

There is no mention of a nightclub in the report above

crono · 12-06-2008, 01:57 PM

It looks like they are turning the main club area into Chalet accommodation for the surfers. It looks a very good idea to me, who needs a nightclub out there anyway? a late bar with music would be just as good.

ascottboy · 12-06-2008, 03:29 PM

Went down there yesterday and had a look at the plans, they do want to keep a club down there which is good, the whole thing is impresive! The splash is run down at the moment and needs updating. Any one who wants to have a look at the plans just pop down to the splash, it more like an exhibition, today or tomorrow. I am all for it looks great.

UserName · 12-06-2008, 03:42 PM

Will it make the bay look more built up, from either the road or the beach? I'm not keen on it being larger, or the chalets to the south on what's open land at the moment... although the rest of it seems great from a quick glimpse on TV the other night.

I wonder why there's been nothing in the JEP? Do they not get on with the Seymour group?

ascottboy · 14-06-2008, 05:14 PM

No it will smarten up the area, does look good, not going up, jst updating an outdated place.Was in the JEP the other day, that's why I went down to have a look.

Fritz · 18-06-2008, 10:42 PM

Looks like a great scheme to me. Then again I,m an old git who hates loud music.