BOURNEMOUTH’S historic Pier Theatre will re-open for the summer season after plans to convert it into an adventure sports attraction were hit by delays.

Pier operators Openwide International had hoped to have the new all-weather attraction up and running by the May bank holiday and Jubilee weekends.

But difficulties in providing an electrical power supply to the pier have forced them to re-think.

The sports attraction, which will include a standing surf wave, climbing walls and indoor high ropes course, will now be put back a year and will open in late March 2013.

Steve Cutbush, managing director at Openwide, said their original launch date was “always going to be difficult to achieve.”

He said the current electrical supply provided to the pier facilities was inadequate for the proposed sports attraction, which would require a lot of power.

Southern Electric has carried out a survey of the site and has concluded they will need to run a new power supply to the pier.

Mr Cutbush said: “That introduces an unacceptable element of risk in terms of the deadlines we have and we have therefore decided to delay the project until early 2013 when we can be sure to be able to open in March ready for the earlier Easter dates that year.

“As such we will be operating a full programme of shows in the theatre for this summer and details will be announced when contracts have been finalised.”

The decision to close the Pier Theatre was made in the face of falling ticket sales, which saw just 16,600 tickets purchased in 2010.

It failed to make a profit for the past five years and the view that it was no longer viable was supported by tourism bosses.

However, its closure was highly controversial, with the Theatres Trust and Bournemouth Civic Society both saddened by the plans.

Showbiz producer Lee Redwood campaigned to save the theatre but the proposals were granted permission last year.

The plans will see the theatre retain its original structure and the outside remaining unchanged.