Bournemouth Council warns Europe's first artificial surf reef 'needs extra £350,000'

Europe's first artificial surf reef will need an extra £350,000, a council chief said today.

The over-scheduled and over-budget reef in Boscombe, Dorset, was due to be complete by December 31, 2008, at the latest after Bournemouth Council invested extra cash in a performance-based contract.

But bad weather and problems with work permits delayed the project and New Zealand-based ASR Ltd now aim to complete the reef by September 2009.

The delays also mean the cost has spiralled from the original estimate of £1.6 million in 2004 to £3.03 million.

Leisure Services director Roger Brown said: "We were very disappointed and frustrated by the weather.

"We had to make a decision with the contractor as to whether to demobilise. We felt to guarantee the future success of the reef that was the best thing to do.

"The top layer remains to be put on which is fundamental to the reef's performance.

"We felt the risks were too high so we did suspend the work.

"Because of these delays across this winter, it will cost an extra £350,000 maximum."

The council has been criticised for paying for accommodation for surf reef workers even when they have been out of the country.

A council meeting was held yesterday evening to discuss an extra £1.8 million of capital funding needed for the wider Boscombe Spa Village regeneration programme, including £350,000 for the reef.

Council bosses hope to pay back the money by selling renovated, luxury beach huts - or "surf pods" - overlooking the reef.

The regeneration project's total spend has spiralled by almost a third to more than £11 million.

The reef is being funded by the sale of a seafront car park to developer Barratt Homes, including a £750,000 payment dependant on flat sales.

"We are still confident we will get that," added Mr Brown.

"All flats that have been completed in the development have been sold and it's proving to be remarkably recession proof.

"We are very confident equally about the surf pods because interest in beach huts this year seems to be stronger than ever."

But Parry Brooks, chair of the Boscombe Cliffs residents' association, said: "In the present property market and recession it isn't guaranteed.

"There may well be a big black hole when the council has finished.

"The total is now £3 million over-budget and the surf reef has nearly doubled and is two years late, yet over all there seems to be no accountability for any of the overspending."

But Paul Clarke, from Bournemouth Surfing Centre, said surfers were still upbeat about the reef.

"Surfers have been waiting for over ten years for this already, another few months isn't going to make a lot of difference. We are getting very excited about it.

"Considering the whole country is in recession at the moment, this is one thing that is going to help Bournemouth come up above every other town in the country as far as the tourism trade is concerned.

"It's due for completion in September and our main surf season is September to April."