Cardiff International Sports Village in Cardiff Bay is one of the most exciting regeneration programmes in the country.

2007 was pivotal for this landmark development which will be both a world class sporting facility and a £1 billion destination resort. The programme is a major part of a continuing regeneration strategy and will transform a former brown field industrial site into an international destination.
Cardiff International Sports Village is expected to attract 3.5 million visitors with an anticipated spend of £270 million. The programme will provide up to 5,000 jobs and create an additional 2,500 jobs within the region.
The development has already provided new highways and an infrastructure network to the city centre and will continue to bring investment into local skills at all levels and improvements to the local environment and facilities.
The programme is made up of individual projects that are inter-related and mutually dependant.
The site is located on a man-made peninsular within the fresh-water lake formed by the construction of the Cardiff Bay Barrage. Construction of the barrage began in 1994 and freshwater impoundment commenced in 2001. Cardiff Bay represents an area of major regeneration in Cardiff, and is protected by the Cardiff Bay Barrage Act, which sets standards for water quality.
The site had a history of industrial and commercial land use including the presence of both licensed and unlicensed landfill tips. Coal discharging operations and large-scale storage of diesel fuels had resulted in contamination of the site by heavy metals and hydrocarbons.

Once complete it will offer

A 50 metre swimming and leisure pool
an indoor skiing, snow boarding and ice sports centre
rock climbing and all-action based sports
Olympic standard canoeing and white water rafting course
facilities for judo, wrestling, boxing and fencing
facilities for gymnastics
shops, bars, restaurants, homes and offices
regional casino, hotel and conference facilities

The benefits are many. It will

attract 3.5 million visitors spending £270 million
provide 5,000 new jobs
transform a former brown field industrial site into an international destination
improve the local environment and facilities for all
invest in local skills at all levels
provide new highways / infrastructure to the city centre
act as a catalyst for a wide range of additional regeneration projects
ISV is due for completion in 2010, ready for the build up to London 2012. It will provide valuable training facilities for both British and visiting athletes. Then Cardiff and Wales can play their crucial parts in supporting the London Olympics.