Officially open

Cowes Yacht Haven Events Centre now open for business

Sir Maurice Laing officially opened the new Events Centre at the Cowes Yacht Haven, Cowes, Isle of Wight on Thursday 30th June 2005.

The ceremony commenced with a welcome and introduction by Donald Parr, Chairman of the Cowes Town Waterfront Trust. The Reverend Richard Emblin, Vicar of Cowes then blessed the building and Sir Maurice Laing unveiled a plaque and formally named the Events Centre - Maurice Laing Events Centre.

The Centre will provide a first class facility for both yachting events and a wide variety of private functions including corporate events, conferences, exhibitions and weddings.

The building - which was designed by John Oldridge of Chapman Taylor, executed by Mike Rainey of Rainey Petrie Johns and built by MCM Construction - incorporates the requirements of both small and large groups and includes a Mezzanine Bar with access to a 150 sq/m balcony with superb views over the Marina and Solent; catering to Silver Service standards and full disabled access. Bluegreen Pictures of Cowes have partnered with the centre and have provided 20 dramatic framed prints for the interior.

The centre has already been used to its full capacity hosting several major yachting and private functions since it opened in May.

Donald Parr, Chairman of the Cowes Town Waterfront Trust praised all the companies involved with the building project and referred specifically to the staff at the Cowes Yacht Haven for their dedication to commissioning this project in such a short period.

He also commented, ‘We were delighted that Sir Maurice Laing agreed to join us and officially open our new Events Centre. The Centre has already been used by both the sailing fraternity and the local community and it is a credit to all those who have worked so hard to ensure that we have a fully operational and affordable venue.’

As usual the Cowes Yacht Haven will be a focal point during Skandia Cowes Week - 29th July to 6th August 2005- offering family entertainment during the day with live bands performing on the main stage until midnight. The new Events Centre will become home for the Haven Nightclub, now a non-smoking venue, which will be open every evening from 10pm until 2am throughout the week.