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2.1.7 The rebranding process and players in rural places
Activity 1
Main question
How does the regeneration of rural places through recreation contribute to the diversification of the countryside?
Questions
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Resource A
The location of Dolgarrog on map O.S. SH7767
OS Maps
Pipes conveying water from the Cowlyd and Coedty dam to supply ‘Surf Snowdonia’ (March, 2016)
Source: https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4874265
Photo © Richard Hoare (cc-by-sa/2.0) -
Resource B
A report from the Welsh Government on the launch of Surf Snowdonia.
WALES FRIENDLY WHEN SURF SNOWDONIA OPEN OFFICIAL
An extract from the Welsh Government press report on the launch of Surf Snowdonia (now called Adventure Parc Snowdonia), July, 2015.
With the Welsh Adventure Year 2016 on the horizon, opening Surf Snowdonia helps to ensure that Wales can now be considered to be a global adventure destination. Surf Snowdonia will be opening at Dolgarrog in the Conwy Valley this weekend [1 August].
It offers another unique tourist attraction and an adventure destination as good as anywhere else around the world.
Wales now has the world's first inland surf lagoon, the longest zip wire in the northern hemisphere, the largest zip wire area in Europe, huge underground trampolines and mountain bike routes of the highest quality. These are all contributing millions of pounds to the Welsh economy each year.
The Welsh Government has supported Surf Snowdonia by providing funding totalling £4.15 million. This investment has created over 100 jobs, with 13 of the people employed on the project coming from Dolgarrog itself and many more from the Conwy Valley. It is estimated that 75,000 people will visit the Park each year to surf.
This innovative surfing facility has been built on the site of the old aluminium work owned by Alcoa, a large world-wide company. It is another example of how the tourism sector can give a new spin on old industrial sites and create local jobs.
Facilities include separate fun pool, coffee bar, retail area and coffee shops, an indoor play centre and a campsite.
In the official opening, Ken Skates, the Deputy Minister, said:
“As the unique attraction Surf Snowdonia opens its doors, the attention of world surfing is focused on Wales. Wales is now the home of the first inland surfing lagoon in the world and there will be an opportunity to attract international surfing events, along with the world's best surfers. Surf Snowdonia is the latest attraction of a global standard to be opened in Wales. The Centre will be important as we promote Wales in ‘Adventure Year 2016’.
“The outdoor sector is worth £481 million to the Welsh economy and is a sector that is growing throughout the world. During 2016 we will build on the wave of opportunities and new developments before us and, by investing continuously over the next ten years, Wales will be one of the most advanced adventure destinations in the UK.”
The Surf Park is an exciting facility for surfers across the world. It will use unique engineering and technology to create powerful and consistent waves which will vary in height, reaching up to 2 metres, in a lagoon of 300 metres in length. The lagoon itself is being filled by rainwater from the mountains of Snowdonia. The eyes of the world are on this development, especially as surfing has been shortlisted as a potential ‘additional sport’ that could be included in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Includes public sector information licensed under the Open Government License v 3.0
More information on: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-28038428
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Resource C
The view from the west , over the ‘wave pool’ at Dolgarrog.
DeFacto - Own work / Surf Snowdonia artificial wave pool, Dolgarrog, Wales
Copyright - CC BY-SA 4.0
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Surf_Snowdonia_overview_from_the_west.jpg
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Resource D
Dolgarrog is part of the electoral ward of Trefriw – the latest data on the population structure of the Trefriw ward was published in November 2018.
Includes public sector information licensed under the Open Government License v 3.0
