Plas Menai Management Contract Awarded

26 Sep 2022

Plas Menai National Outdoor Centre will be operated by private company Parkwood Leisure following the completion of a procurement process.

The facility will remain under the ownership of Sport wales but day to day operation will be managed by Parkwood Leisure.

Dawn Bowden MS, Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, said: “The Welsh Government and Sport Wales have a collective aim to ensure the National Outdoor Centre at Plas Menai has a long-term sustainable future. In 2017, following an independent review, there was a recommendation to explore options for the management of Plas Menai whilst retaining it within public ownership and aligned with the strategic goals of Sport Wales. Sport Wales subsequently determined that the best way to achieve this was to identify a strategic partner, which shares its values and aspirations for Plas Menai while also sharing the financial risk of operating the centre."

Staff at the centre will have their terms and conditions protected, she added, and Plas Menai will retain its status as the National Outdoor Centre.

Dawn Bowden also said "Parkwood brings extensive knowledge and experience of the outdoor and leisure sector together with innovative delivery proposals...This approach will bring in sector experience and expertise to grow the business as a year-round sporting destination, which will enable the long-term growth and development of Plas Menai."

Plas Menai, located on the banks of the Menai Strait close to the Snowdonia National Park, is a recognised Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and Britich Canoeing (BC) training centre and offers world renowned technical courses and instructor training in; dinghy sailing, windsurfing, powerboating, cruising and kayaking, all courses range from beginner to advanced, with a range of certified courses for children. The centre also offers Instructor Training Programmes throughout the year.

Parkwood Leisure specialise in the development and operation of leisure facilities, visitor attraction centres, golf courses, heritage sites and theatres on behalf of local authority clients. Since their formation in 1995, they have grown and are now one of the most experienced providers of leisure management provision in the UK. Their mission is to create and maintain sustainable, lasting partnerships to help build happier and healthier local communities.

The new partnership with Parkwood Leisure starts in January 2023 and will run for an initial 10 year period.