Model Boat Mayhem

Shows, Events, Club websites and Club Events => Club Events and News => Topic started by: kinmel on December 30, 2018, 04:19:28 pm

Title: Colwyn Bay Model Boad Club - The end of an era
Post by: kinmel on December 30, 2018, 04:19:28 pm
The purpose built model boating lake in Colwyn Bay has been emptied for the last time and the adjacent Civic Centre building is now being boarded up. The site has been given to Muse Developments who are selling the site to house builders.

Over the last 4 years we have restored the much bigger lake in nearby Eirias Park and the club is now based over there.

We are always pleased when Mayhemers on holiday drop in for a brew and a sail.
Title: Re: Colwyn Bay Model Boad Club - The end of an era
Post by: Neil on December 30, 2018, 05:46:56 pm
looks a nice lake.
Title: Re: Colwyn Bay Model Boad Club - The end of an era
Post by: derekwarner on December 30, 2018, 11:35:26 pm
kinmel ...... I had mentioned a few years back on the beauty of the grounds, lake & what was assumed as a heritage building......


I am sure the Lord Mayor [and each of the elected Officers] of the Colwyn Bay Council were in two minds over loosing their grand view of the lake & grounds <*<


One must wonder just what enticed them  :-X to vote for sale of the land to developers?


Derek
Title: Re: Colwyn Bay Model Boad Club - The end of an era
Post by: canabus on December 30, 2018, 11:49:51 pm
Hi
It's all about the money !!!!

Canabus
Title: Re: Colwyn Bay Model Boad Club - The end of an era
Post by: derekwarner on December 31, 2018, 01:08:25 am
Have you ever seen a impoverished looking, poorly fed or dressed Council Officer?  %)  ......


So many Official Openings with dinner & refreshments, banquet luncheons, interstate and international travel educational visitations  <*<

Need I say more? 
  :-X


Yes, all about $............
Title: Re: Colwyn Bay Model Boad Club - The end of an era
Post by: canabus on December 31, 2018, 01:18:54 am
Hi derek
Are you going to look at the NS14 sailing championships???
The son-in-law is sailing in them.

Canabus
Title: Re: Colwyn Bay Model Boad Club - The end of an era
Post by: tigertiger on December 31, 2018, 01:54:49 am
It will be sad to see this iconic building go, and the model boating lake with it. However, the old boating lake in the park is still available to you, and would allow for some really deep keel fins.
In fairness to the council. These older building cost a lot to maintain, and that is a drain on resources. I seem to remember expensive works being done maybe 40 years ago on the building. These old houses are lovely, but are expensive to heat, light, and to maintain.
Politics and heritage issues aside. The money from the sale of the land, will pay for a newer low maintenance, low energy building that will save money in the long run. Money that will be used for other much needed services.
Title: Re: Colwyn Bay Model Boad Club - The end of an era
Post by: BrianB6 on December 31, 2018, 03:33:01 am
I am sure they now have a magnificent new building.
15 years ago our local Art Societies got together to ask for a new Gallery.
Finally the local Council said yes, and we can also build a new Council Office, Performing Arts centre, Library, etc. etc. at a cost of $36 million  >>:-(

Title: Re: Colwyn Bay Model Boad Club - The end of an era
Post by: canabus on December 31, 2018, 03:50:45 am
Hi Brian
And still no model boating pond !!!!!

Canabus
Title: Re: Colwyn Bay Model Boad Club - The end of an era
Post by: BrianB6 on December 31, 2018, 04:17:21 am
Unfortunatley NO  <:(
But plenty of hot air if you are into balloons. %)
Title: Re: Colwyn Bay Model Boad Club - The end of an era
Post by: derekwarner on December 31, 2018, 06:57:14 am
"Plush new council offices will cost £2.3m a year to run

The £35m development in Colwyn Bay will replace a number of other buildings scattered around the county"
Title: Re: Colwyn Bay Model Boad Club - The end of an era
Post by: kinmel on December 31, 2018, 08:15:16 am
"Plush new council offices will cost £2.3m a year to run
The £35m development in Colwyn Bay will replace a number of other buildings scattered around the county"
The Civic Centre site was simply given away as a sweetener to the developer.

The new, 400 desk,  office block cost £33.5million to build plus a 10% design charge by the private developer. The completed building has been sold to a property company and the council will lease it for 40years and then buy it for £1.
Of course it is never that simple.    The lease starts at £1.5million per annum and rises annually by the Retail Price Index ( 40 year average is about 3.7% apparently ) and the final year's rent is likely to be £6.5million. i.e. Total lease cost could be £143million
The council is liable for all repairs and maintenance during the 40 year lease.    Do NOT mention that the building is fully cladded in bespoke triple glazing units that come with a 10 year warranty.

Those bronze tiles look good though, pity some came loose in the first 40mph wind.
Title: Re: Colwyn Bay Model Boad Club - The end of an era
Post by: tigertiger on December 31, 2018, 10:04:30 am
In commercial terms, 2.3m is not a lot of money. Neither is 35 million for that matter. In a new purpose built building, the running costs for fuel and light will also be much lower, as will the maintenance.
The old Glan-y-Don Hall was not purpose built and parts of it predate 1878, when it was rented by Cheadle Royal Hospital. I am not sure if the information is easily available, but I would expect that very large renovation and repair bills were looming for many of the older buildings that CBC were using for office space. By moving people from older buildings (plural) into a single new building, will not only save money, but the CBC will also be able to sell off some of the surplus real estate, much of which had been old maintenance heavy, converted, Victorian residential properties around the borough. Some of these older building were extremely dilapidated.


When I read things like 'Shock Horror Council Spending' in local rags like the North Wales Weekly News, or Conwy Daily Post, I expect not to be accurately informed.
Title: Re: Colwyn Bay Model Boad Club - The end of an era
Post by: tigertiger on December 31, 2018, 12:07:33 pm
@Kinmel, it looks like CBC moved out of the old Bank building as well.
Looking on Google street view it is interesting to see the new building when viewed from Conway Road, but the old DSS offices when viewed from Coed Pella Rd. I remember when that building was new too, not without some controversy over cost and quality in its own time.


Sorry if I hijaked your thread Kinmel. It is not often I see really local news from home.
Title: Re: Colwyn Bay Model Boad Club - The end of an era
Post by: kinmel on December 31, 2018, 12:46:20 pm
Tigertiger, You are correct that the running costs will be lower and the leases on some of their existing estate are ending.
However, Conwy have a budget shortfall of £19million this year and rates are going up 5% year on year. Most public services are now withdrawn, or restricted.
Yet, despite that, their brief was for an Iconic building, not a cost effective building. 

The vanity of the soaring atrium has increased roof and external wall areas by 42%. The roof has many pitches and angles, each of which has exponentially increased the costs. The glass walls provide poor insulation and have a shorter life expectancy compared to any other material.  When the sun hits the eastern side, they have to close the blinds. The copper tiles are an unnecessary decoration to the underlying concrete lintels and beams.
They have now created extra parking spaces a mile away in Eirias Park and staff have to walk between the two, although there is talk of running a park and ride for the staff.
It is simply a spending competition between Conwy and Denbighshire councils.
Title: Re: Colwyn Bay Model Boad Club - The end of an era
Post by: smudger1309 on January 31, 2019, 02:23:57 am
im sad that its gone and i will miss it,  i joined in 2013 i made friends at the lake, friends who are no longer with us,   some rainy / windy days having a chatter in old bus shelter with a flask of tea or soup,  it is an end of an era but by moving to Eirias Park and only being few feet away from the original lake (now an embankment if not under the A55) has safe guarded the future of Colwyn Bay Model Boat Club, and long may this great club continue