A DOCKLAND project costing almost £200,000 will officially launch this Saturday, June 20.

High Sheriff of Glamorgan Heather Stephens will formally open the Barry Community Water Activities Centre (BCWAC) on the Mole in Barry No.1 Dock at 1pm.

The event marks the completion of the first part of the project which will ultimately provide an iconic, user friendly building for use by all in the local community.

Work has so far seen the construction of a slipway into the dock, a car park, provision of pontoons, and temporary changing and classrooms.

The new facility will offer many groups and clubs a place to meet and participate in various water based activities.

Run by the Ocean Watersports Trust, a charity with the sole purpose of offering opportunities for everyone to be active on or near the water, the centre will also bring to life the largely disused dock.

OWT chairman Chris Basten said the opening represented the end of the first phase of the project, with temporary buildings used whilst fundraising continues to complete the main facility.

He thanked those who had helped, including Barry Town and the Vale Councils, Sport Wales, Associated British Ports (ABP), Welsh Government, Grabit and the Simon Gibson Trust.

He also thanked the 25 committed volunteers who had given up hundreds of hours of their free time to do everything except the actual construction.

He said a lot more could be accomplished when groups worked together, and looked forward to the time when the opening of the permanent building bought everyone back to the Mole for another ceremony.

Anyone wishing to use the Activities Centre can contact the Trust via www.bcwac.org.uk, or call 07855 463293.