Wirral Council is set to move forward with plans to secure the long-term future of the Wirral Watersports Centre and West Kirby Marine Lake through a new operating model focused on sustainability, local investment and community activity.
An Officer Decision Notice, which is subject to a three-day call-in period, recommends appointing Coastal WK Ltd as the specialist external operator through a concession contract.
The Council would retain ownership of the asset and responsibility for lake maintenance, while the new operator would take on day-to-day operations, staffing and building maintenance.
The model would remove the need for an ongoing Council subsidy and place the centre on a more sustainable footing.
Public consultation helped shape the approach, with 439 responses received between 28 August and 23 October 2025.
Of those, 59.5% supported or strongly supported exploring an external operator.
Council Retains Asset Ownership While Transferring Day to Day Maintenance
The structural shift allows the local authority to protect the public site while eliminating direct financial liabilities from its annual budget.
Cllr Jenny Johnson, Chair of the Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee said:
“This proposal is about securing the future of an important Wirral asset in a way that is realistic, sustainable and ambitious.
“We want to protect public access to watersports at West Kirby, support the long-term future of the site and make sure it is run in a way that works for residents and for the borough as a whole.
“The recommended model would allow us to keep the asset in public ownership while bringing in specialist expertise to grow the offer, reduce financial pressure and help unlock the site’s full potential.”
The site is recognised as an important community facility, a cherished destination in the heart of West Kirby, and a premier destination in the North of England for wind-based watersports, including windsurfing, sailing and wingfoiling.
RYA Training Centre Status Preserved for Regional Sailing and Foiling Sports
The incoming management team will maintain the formal athletic certifications of the venue while expanding recreational access for local communities.
Operating the site as an RYA training centre, watersports would remain at its core and be available through day passes, memberships, beginner-to-advanced lessons, training courses, children’s camps, and organised activities.
Core activities would include wingfoiling, parawing, pumpfoiling, sailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding and kayaking.
Adam Crouch, Director, said:
“As Wirral residents, this project means a huge amount to us. West Kirby Marine Lake is one of the best watersports locations in the country, known internationally, and has been loved by generations of local people.
“Our vision is to protect what makes the site special while creating a more active, welcoming and sustainable destination for the future.
“By connecting Adams’ success in New Brighton with the new location in West Kirby, we want to help more people get active, get outdoors and enjoy Wirral’s incredible coastline.”
Visit here to sign up for updates and find out how you can get involved, on and off the water.
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