BY SPRING 2017, residents and visitors to Knutsford could benefit from a new watersports centre built on a disused quarry in Chelford.

Tim Woodhead, of Pickmere Lane plans to open Foxlake Adventures park on Mere Farm Quarry, which has been filled with water since it ceased operations.

The site, built on the restored quarry, will boast cable wake boarding for beginners through to experts, a low ropes course and paddle boarding and open water swimming facilities.

Tim, who owns Industry Wake Parks which provides wakeboarding parks with equipment, already owns a site in Liverpool and a community interest business in Dunbar, which offers watersports to people of all ages.

“I have been looking for water in Cheshire for three years, because I know that this is something that will work really well,” said Tim.

“There isn’t much for teenagers apart from the traditional sports like football and if we look at our other parks our demographic is vast.

“I approached about 50 places to find somewhere suitable from Tatton Park to the Flashes in Northwich but then I found a notice from Hanson Aggregates who owned the quarry.

“It was perfect timing, they had just finished quarrying it and are now restoring it.

“Cheshire Lakes is a community interest programme which means we are aiming to bring opportunities to the area and offer sporting facilities for everyone to enjoy.

The site will be open seven days a week during the summer months, five to six days a week in spring and three days in winter for seasonal pass holders.

A planning application is being developed which will be submitted by the end of February and if it gains approval the centre will create upwards of 30 seasonal jobs.

“Everyone we have spoken to has been so positive. When I put the website live I thought we might get negative feedback from people but I have just had letters asking me how they can get a job there.

“When the site is up and running there will a building which will house all the changing rooms and showers, a café and reception.

“It will be a great place for people of all ages, mums and dads can bring their kids too.”

A public consultation will be held in Chelford Village Hall on Feburary 11 from 12pm to 8pm for people to come and give their opinions about the proposals and learn more about the site.

For more information visit cheshirelakes.co.uk.