Sailing school tender out

Gwynedd council has published the construction brief for the new sailing academy at Pwllheli designed by Ellis Williams Architects.

The £8.3m national sailing academy and events centre is funded by European Regional Development Fund, Welsh Government and Gwynedd Council.

When it opens in 2013, the 17,000 sq ft centre is expected to attract thousands of extra visitors to the area every year.

Gwynedd Council has been working with Pwllheli Sailing Club, Welsh Government, North Wales Watersports, Plas Menai, Coleg Llandrillo (Cymru) and the Welsh Yachting Association to develop the academy and the event centre.

The centre will also hold wider community events and activities, a facility that is currently lacking in Pwllheli.

The project is a response to the demand for higher quality facilities at Pwllheli and responds to the Concept Proposals prepared by Marina Projects in 2008.

Contractors have until 23 August to register their interest in bidding. The scoring criteria is weighted 70:30, quality: cost.