Watersports plan for Blackpool's Stanley Park lake

Blackpool Council has secured the grant from the government's Coastal Communities Fund.

The other slice of the cash will be used to investigate new leisure opportunities to develop additional watersports such as windsurfing.

Activities could be linked to the high ropes project also at Stanley Park to offer participants a wider outdoor adventure experience.

Another option could be to use the lake for open water swimming as part of future triathlon events which are becoming increasingly popular.

As part of the initiative, the council through its Facebook page has asked people what they would like to see introduced.

Coun Maria Kirkland, cabinet member responsible for parks and leisure, said: "We secured funding from the Coastal Communities Fund and are now currently undertaking two studies at Stanley Park.

"One is an ecological study which is looking at issues such as the pondweed in

the lake and possible dredging solutions whilst ensuring the wildlife, natural plant life and vegetation is protected.

“The other study is looking at the potential opportunities of enhancing the range of waters sports based activities that could be offered on the lake.

"These could possibly be activities such as sailing and windsurfing. Specialists are looking into the experiences of other places in the country to better

understand if such activities would be viable at Stanley Park."

The council hopes to have gathered all the feedback in the coming weeks.