A NEW adventure golf course is opening at Bournemouth seafront at the end of this month.

Work on the Smugglers’ Cove project started earlier this year. Once complete, the attraction on Pier Approach will offer an 18-hole course based on the town’s smuggling roots, with holes relating to stories from the 1700s and 1800s and Bournemouth landmarks.

Players will be able to choose whether to be part of the lawless Moonshadow Gang or a fearless Red Coat as they make their way through waterfalls, old churches, and uncover hidden treasure.

The BCP Council attraction is being built in the area where the former IMAX building was based before it was torn down in 2008.

Andrew Brown, seafront operations manager, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening a brand new attraction in Pier Approach this summer. Our award-winning seafront already offers a wealth of family fun to visitors, so it’s very exciting to be adding Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf to our portfolio.”

The course was built by Greenspan Projects and is their biggest project to date. Director Rod Morton said: “It’s great to see BCP Council embrace such an ambitious project – redeveloping what was a disused space in a prime location to create a revenue-generating visitor attraction with a wow factor to capture the imagination of tourists, and, in turn, support the local economy in Bournemouth.”

Part of the course has been built with recycled materials including 800 metres of groyne timber and 28 barrels.

Councillor Lewis Allison said: “Continuing the significant BCP Council investment into Pier Approach, our team has come together to deliver this superb family activity, which not only looks incredible, but will also encourage more people to come and enjoy everything there is on offer in this stunning seafront location.”

Smugglers Cove, which opens on July 31, will be an all-year-round attraction open seven days a week from 10am. Prices will range from £6.60 for children and £9.60 for adults to group bookings for £36.00.

When the project was first announced a number of alternative concepts were put forward by members of the public. Former Bournemouth mayor Rod Cooper led calls for a tropical butterfly house on the land, however he said the council had refused to lease the site for the project.

Businessman Josh Simons launched a survey to gauge the interest for a public swimming pool, with the overwhelming majority of the 4,325 respondents stating they were in favour of the idea over a crazy golf course.