Ballyholme Yacht Club Water Sports Centre

Council believes our beautiful peninsula affords the opportunity to create a state-of-the-art destination for sports and relaxation; a waterfront park to rival the best in Europe.

Benefiting from both the sheltered waters of Ballyholme Bay and the open waters of Belfast Lough, Ballyholme Yacht Club (BYC), has been identified as a premier location within Northern Ireland for major sailing and water sports events by the Royal Yachting Association.

This family-friendly Club currently offers people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to enjoy a range of watersports including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, power boating, paddle boarding and open water swimming. The Club also hosts a number of local, national and international watersports events.

The redevelopment of BYC as part of the Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment, will provide Bangor, the Borough and the wider region, with a world class facility for water sports plus the ability to host more international events.

The first Public Drop-In Information Session took place on Saturday 11 October 2025 in Ballyholme Yacht Club, where residents had the opportunity to get an exclusive first look at early concept proposals for this exciting new chapter in the story of Ballyholme Yacht Club. As part of the wider Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment, the Council—working in partnership with the Club's Development Committee members, and design consultants WH Stephens—presented a suite of visionary ideas for the future of this 105 year old landmark. Residents and businesses attended to share their thoughts and provide feedback as we shape what's next. As the project develops, engagement will continue with local stakeholders, including residents who live in close proximity to the Club, to ensure that all views are considered in the lead-up to the formal planning submission. This will include additional opportunities for public input during the Pre-Application Community Consultation process and beyond.

If you would like to receive regular updates on this and the overall Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment, you can sign up to receive a bi-monthly email. Simply request your email be added to our database by emailing bangorwaterfront@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

You can review the proposed design ideas below by clicking on each image.

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Design ICT Appointment

A major milestone in the BWF Programme was reached as Council Members approved the development agreement for Ballyholme Yacht Club. The Club's members also overwhelmingly voted to proceed with the redevelopment, giving the go ahead for the initial stage of the process to begin. Ballyholme Yacht Club Watersports Centre was the first of the projects within Council's Belfast Region City Deal-funded Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment Programme to get underway.

Following an extensive tender process, Council Members approved the appointment of a design team, led by Northern Ireland based WH Stephens. WH Stephens will manage, design and deliver the Ballyholme Yacht Club project and associated consultation process. Work on the design, stakeholder engagement and consultation strategy began immediately following the appointment. The project is currently in the design stage. The planning application is scheduled for submission in spring 2026, with a contractor expected to be appointed in 2027 ahead of construction, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

The redevelopment will enhance Ballyholme Yacht Club's facilities, creating a state-of-the-art destination for water sports for the whole community, and for Northern Ireland. The aspiration is to widen public participation across all ages and abilities. This aligns with Council's objectives under the Belfast Region City Deal to increase community participation in water sports, attract more visitors to the Borough through major events such as this summer's highly successful European Youth Championships, and provide jobs.

WH Stephens Director Michael Murray said "WH Stephens are delighted to have been appointed as Design Team Lead and Project Managers for the delivery of Ballyholme Yacht Club Water Sports Centre. In conjunction with Ards and North Down Borough Council, we look forward to delivering the future aspirations of Ballyholme Yacht Club, a high-quality community asset in keeping with the strategic objectives of the Bangor Waterfront regeneration works programme and Belfast Regional City Deal investment aims."