Multi-million pound investment will allow water park to expand its offering and schedule of events ahead of the predicted staycation boom this summer.
PART of Dawnay Estates, a group of rural businesses based in beautiful countryside in Yorkshire, North Yorkshire Water Park launched at Wykeham Lakes in 2017.
The site originally comprised of four specialist fishing lakes along with a large lake dedicated to water sports. For many years, local water sports clubs and individuals have used the facility for sailing, windsurfing, model yacht racing and open water swimming.
Today, the attraction which is located just six miles from Scarborough and within an hour’s drive of York, offers a range of water sports including kayaking, paddle boarding, tandem kayaking, mini ports and pedalos. Camping is available throughout the summer and the water park still houses separate fishing lakes.
In summer 2020, Scarborough Borough Council granted full planning permission for a new Wake Park and permanent café at the Water Park, allowing the site to become a year-round visitor destination.
The investment will see a wake boarding line added to the park’s current leisure offering, along with kickers and rails. Similar to water-skiing, wake boarding is growing in popularity with wakeboarders riding on a short, wide board resembling a surfboard whilst being towed by a cable and pulley system. The new Wake Park will be the first in North Yorkshire and will offer trained instructors for those new to the sport as well the ability for experienced wakeboarders to practice their jumps and tricks on the new challenging lines.
“It’s great to see North Yorkshire Water Park expanding into an all year-round visitor destination with the first Wake Park in North Yorkshire. When the Wake Park opens, it will bring a fantastic boost to the local economy giving locals and holiday makers a beautiful and fun place to enjoy the natural environment. We look forward to seeing the plans take shape,” said Janet Deacon, Tourism and Corporate Marketing Manager at Scarborough Borough Council.
The park will also introduce new lakeside buildings to accommodate a permanent café and decking viewing area, sympathetically designed to enhance the natural environment overlooking the leisure lake. This will serve as the base for customers arriving at the park to use both the fishing and water park amenities. There will also be new changing rooms and showers along with new infrastructure and signage to further improve customer experience at the venue.
“It’s an extremely exciting time for the Water Park as we expand our facilities and what we have to offer ready for the summer season. This new development is a huge opportunity for us to cement our new and improved offering and contribute to the leisure and tourist offer in North Yorkshire,” said David Steel, chief executive of Dawnay Estates, which owns North Yorkshire Water Park.
The new facilities, which are expected to complete in May, mean North Yorkshire Water Park will be able to expand its calendar of events and aquatic activities.
