Colwyn Bay Waterfront Redevelopment

[DaveR]

Maybe the rule should be that all expenditure on a project costing above a set amount must be approved by council taxpayers via an Internet ballot on CCBC website? Assuming we could reply on them not to fiddle the result, of course... :twoface:

[Merddin Emrys]

Sounds good in theory! I remember speaking about it to two people at the Forties weekend, I told them my views on it then found out they were town councillors, both seemed genuinely convinced that the building would bring in lots of visitors. I hope it does, but I can't see it somehow! 

[Blongb]

The article mentions beach users wanting access to the (still unopened) toilets in Porth Eirias. My impression was that the toilets are actually tucked away behind changing rooms (in the large windowless zinc wedge) - as if they were intended primarily for the watersports people, not for easy access by loads of beach-users & their kids.

The toilets are tucked away behind the changing rooms and you do have to go out of your way to find them, however there are free public toilets readily accessible just across the promenade. So you have to ask why does Colwyn Bay prom have two sets of free conveniences for visitors to use and we in Llandudno only have the ones at the Paddling Pool a mile and a half from where they are needed? 

[Yorkie]

The toilets are tucked away behind the changing rooms and you do have to go out of your way to find them, however there are free public toilets readily accessible just across the promenade. So you have to ask why does Colwyn Bay prom have two sets of free conveniences for visitors to use and we in Llandudno only have the ones at the Paddling Pool a mile and a half from where they are needed? 

It's much worse for us older ones - by the time we have walked from the Cenotaph to the paddling pool, we've forgotten what we went for!   

[Nemesis]

Or worse !!

[BMD]

Interesting comment from the architect's Twitter account. Said, in jest, obviously - but, still, "evil base"? Perhaps such architecture is more suited to an out-of-town business park than to a Victorian seaside resort?



 

[Merddin Emrys]

Hard to believe that all those years of training to become an architect could result in such a disappointing building! But I assume that's what the council wanted, makes no sense at all! Is there anyone with anything good to say about it?

[Merddin Emrys]

Kevin Horton BA (HONS) DIP.ARCH RIBA,
Finance & Operations Director

Kevin began working in architectural practice in 1989, rising to the position of senior project architect for a large international firm where he was responsible for developing and delivering projects from £25-£85m in value. Kevin’s experience has given him a sophisticated understanding of building design exemplified in his leadership of the pratices flagship project, the Colwyn Bay Watersports Centre. Kevin also chairs the Liverpool City Chamber of Commerce council, advising on construction and development.

Flagship project! 

http://www.k2architects.co.uk/profile_directors.html

[Ian]

The posts following have been moved to What's Llandudno Like right Now.

[BMD]

Porth Eirias has now been officially nominated for the 2013 Carbuncle Cup at Building Design magazine. Their page even has a link to this forum discussion: http://www.bdonline.co.uk/buildings/carbuncle-cup/carbuncle-cup-nomination-%E2%80%94-porth-eirias-watersports-centre-colwyn-bay-wales-by-k2-architects/5056764.article

The page is currently showing as "registered users only" (this may change?). Anyway, it's quick & free to register if you want to view it. Meanwhile, here's a screen-grab:

[Merddin Emrys]

Not that easy to register, none of the job titles match me! (Retired early)

[BMD]

Not that easy to register, none of the job titles match me! (Retired early)

I just put anything for those - assumed they don't matter. Main thing, I think, is to enter a valid email address, so you get a confirmation letting you know when you can look at the page (which was fairly instantaneous). You can also post comments underneath the main article when you've registered. 

[BMD]

There's also a reference to the name "Skip-by-the sea" having caught on among locals (which it has indeed) - and if I remember rightly, you may have coined that phrase.

[DaveR]

There's also a reference to the name "Skip-by-the sea" having caught on among locals (which it has indeed) - and if I remember rightly, you may have coined that phrase.

Fame at last, Merddin! 

[Merddin Emrys]

Infamy infamy, they've all got it in for me!  yes it was me who first called it the 'Skip by the Sea'