The Circuit of Wales has revealed thatthe Extreme Sports Company isits new business partner in its planto build a£425m Extreme Destinationnear Ebbw Vale.
The involvement of Extreme is significant because theCircuit of Wales still has to come to termswith the Welsh Government regardingfinancial guarantees. To date, the only confirmed event had beenMotoGP (Grand Prix motorcycle racing). However, with Extreme onboard the additional extreme sport activties would both broaden the visitor base and open up huge potential online.
With this in mind although Extremewillnot be funding any of the construction, it will contribute its brand and expertise inmarketing.In particular, it will be leveraging its social platforms to develop the brand and attract more visitors.
An Extreme Destination
Extreme is runby a team of entrepreneurs, marketers and designersandits services includebrand marketing, events, content creation and movie production. In addition they develops large scale sports and leisure real estate projects.The company also runmedia platforms which togetherhavean average monthly reach of over 100 million fans and over50 million video views per month. These include The Extreme Sports Channelwhichlaunched into 68 countries around the world.
The Circuit of Wales estimates the project willcreate up to 6, 000 jobs in the region.Extreme expects the projectto draw over750, 000 visitors a yearand become a significant player in the UK's£4bn entertainment and leisure sector. Italso saysthe Extreme Destination willcontributeapproximtely£50m a year to the Welsh economy.
Thi £425m, 336 hectare multi-purpose infrastructure project will belocated in South Walesnorth of Ebbw Vale in Blaenau Gwent. Highlights will be thestate-of-the-art innovation zones and a world-class motorsport facility. In addition, Extreme Destination will include Indoor Skiing, a Virtual Reality (VR) Zone, a Surf Park, Mountain Bike Trails, a BMX Park, Trampolininganda Skatepark. Furthermore, the attraction will include space for live events and concerts.The resort will also feature two new hotels and a campsite.
Martin Whitaker, chief executive of the Circuit of Wales, said, "The circuit aims to provide much more than a racing facility.It will be a 365-day leisure and business destination.The support we have received to date from the racing, automotive and investment communities emphasises the circuit's long-term role in boosting tourism, creating jobs and diversifying the local economy".
The Extreme Destination is backed by private banker Kleinwort Benson.The bankrecently joined the Circuit of Wales projectas advisors.
Images courtesy Extreme Sports Company.
