Circuit of Wales plans given boost by deal to host MotoGP
Long-held plans for the creation of the £315m (US$525m, €392m) Circuit of Wales racetrack have been boosted after its backers signed a five-year deal to host motorcycling’s British MotoGP event at the venue.
The track, which is yet to be constructed, will become a purpose-built hub for the British motorsport industry, catering for major events, while also developing into a centre for motorsport-related industries.
The deal with commercial rights owner Dorna will see the event held at another venue next year, with the Circuit of Wales becoming its home in 2015 for a remaining four years, with a possible five-year extension also in the offing.
Being developed by the Heads of the Valleys Development Company, the first phase of the project will potentially see the construction of a 3.5-mile (5.6km) international specification motor racing circuit with world championship facilities, while plans for a hotel, plus commercial and retail complexes are also in the pipeline.
To be located near the Ebbw Vale in Blaenau Gwent, the venue will also house a race academy and training facility, intended to help develop future motorsport drivers.
Other features at the site are to include motocross, trials and enduro venues, an international kart circuit and an array of leisure amenities.
Last year Spanish company FCC and civil engineer Alun Griffit won the construction contract for work at the site, with designs being created by architects Populous, engineers Arup and Powell Dobson Urbanists.
The project has been the subject of severe planning delays following land disputes, as well as calls placed on UK governments to invest in the scheme.
However, once the project is completed, it is thought that around 750,000 visitors will visit the arena each year, while 6,000 jobs could also be created.
The announcement of the deal follows more important news released last month, in which UK Prime Minister David Cameron approved plans to stage motorsport events on the UK's public roads for the first time, potentially opening the door for the staging of a Formula One race in central London.
Work to begin on Circuit of Wales - opening set for 2015
Welsh government puts Circuit of Wales racetrack plans on hold
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
BrunelloCucinelli has madehisfortune from cashmere and has used hiswealthto restoreandrevive theItalian hamlet he callshome. Wefindout more