The Wave Bristol’s campaign got underway Monday, November 24 and Chris Hines MBE, head of sustainability for The Wave, said: “We want this project to be sustainable in all senses, including socially and environmentally. We have ambitious plans to sustainably power the site and eventually take it off-grid.”
“The money raised via crowdfunding will allow us to fast-forward these plans and look at putting in some of these elements at build stage.”
The campaign has been sparked by public demand and two per cent of the money raised will be given to the Making Waves Foundation which funds community projects and charities in the area.
When the site opens a percentage of annual profits will also go to the foundation and the Trustees will decide how this is distributed.
The Wave Bristol is aiming to build on site in 2015 and wants to encourage people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to be outdoors, have fun and get in touch with nature.
The rewards available through the campaign range from a shout out on Facebook or a limited edition Finisterre t-shirt, to annual family membership or a VIP company away day.
The campaign will run until Monday, December 22 and has a target of £150,000.
The campaign is a direct result of numerous requests from those following the project.
Founder Nick Hounsfield said: “Right from the early days of the project people have asked whether we would be running a crowdfunding campaign and since planning has been approved we have received hundreds of emails asking whether people can pre-buy membership to the site.
“We want as many people as possible to be part of this project, we want to create a sense of community ownership and we want that community to help shape our plans.
“Given all of this, it makes absolute sense to go down the crowdfunding route for specific elements of the project.”
“The Making Waves Foundation will support a range of community initiatives and charities, for example that may be via bursaries to allow inner-city kids to experience The Wave.”
Talking further about investment Nick said: “The crowdfunding campaign is not about financing the basic build, it is about funding some specific areas of the business that we feel passionately about.
“There are exciting discussions taking place with potential investors regarding the bulk of the project and we are currently carrying out due diligence on a short list of options.
“We will be making an announcement regarding key funders as soon as we can, but suffice it to say that we are still on track to start building in 2015.”
To find out more or to pledge visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/thewavebristol
