New plans for water sports centre

The new development would have indoor surf waves

Ambitious plans for the future of Holme Pierrepont Water Sports Centre near Nottingham have been unveiled by the county council.

With £10m of funding from Nottinghamshire City Council and Sport England, the site would be expanded and improved to include an activity hub.

Indoor surfing waves would be installed, a country park developed and the current canoe slalom retained.

If plans are approved, it is hoped the site would be ready by 2012.

In addition, the county council wants to introduce an inflatable pontoon system, allowing the lake to be used for rowing regattas as well as windsurfing and sailing events.

A static caravan and campsite would also be built to attract visitors to stay for longer.

'World-class' venue

County Councillor Chris Baron said: "The council is keen to ensure that Holme Pierrepont remains open and more than that - it is a world-class training and leisure facility, a destination in its own right.

"It's important that elite sports people have a place to train but we need to strike a balance and attract a broader range of people to make use of the site, which is why developing the conference and event facilities, the campsite and the more fun leisure activities."

Future proposals for phase two of the project include extending the facility to include a marina, hotels and housing.

Subject to planning approval, work on the site would begin straight away.

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