Surf park developer Wave Park Group is planning to develop an artificial surf beach on the banks of the Swan River in Perth.
Designed by Perth-based architecture practice MJA Studio, the proposed $25-million artificial surf park will occupy a 4.4-hectare area of Tompkins Park in Alfred Cove, located nine kilometres south of Perth’s CBD. The Melville Bowling Club, which currently occupies the site, will be relocated to a new facility 300 metres east.
To be named Urbnsurf Perth, the surf beach will feature a 2.4-hectare lagoon and can accommodate up to 84 participants per hour. The artificial waves, which can range in height from 0.6 metres to 1.7 metres, will be generated using technology developed by Spanish engineering company Wavegarden.
Wave Park Group executive chairman Andrew Ross observed that Perth was blessed with a number of idyllic beaches, but suffered from poor surf quality along with overcrowding problems. However, the inland surf beach concept will unlock ‘the geographic limitations of ocean based surfing’.
Key feature highlights of the proposed surf beach development also include a pro-shop, surf training academy, licensed cafe, function centre, climbing wall, parkour trail, skate course and other lifestyle sports facilities. The developer plans to retain a number of sports fields in the existing park with the proposal also covering upgrades to the adjacent park facilities such as mountain bike pump track and outdoor adventure and fitness equipment.
Wave Park Group proposes to have Perth’s first non-coastal surf life-saving club based at the planned artificial beach. The venue will also host regular amateur and elite surfing events, and art, music and film festivals within the grounds.
Wave Park Group has presented the proposal to the City of Melville and will await a council decision on the lease of the land.
If a lease is granted, the developer plans to lodge a development application for the artificial surf beach in the first quarter of 2017. The beach could be open by late 2018.
Image: The proposal for Urbnsurf Perth by MJA Studio and Wave Park Group features a 2.4-hectare lagoon and a range of club facilities (Wave Park Group)
