PLANS for a £1million waterpark at Clacton Pavilion are set to be unveiled on Friday.

Pavilion boss Billy Peak hopes the plans will be approved in the New Year.

The proposal is the third phase of the redevelopment of the historic seafront site, which was built in the 1900s and the Jewel in Clacton’s crown in the resort’s heyday.

A £3million regeneration o took place in 2012 and included the creation of the Pavilion Family Fun Park, with more than 20 newattractions, including fairground rides, 5D mini-cinema, as well as the new Pavilion Bowl entertainment centre, which includes state-of-the-art tenlane tenpin bowling and Armstrong’s restaurant.

The water park would be part of a new, outdoor family play area aimed at youngsters aged up to 12 and would see the complex extended to the east of the site.

The plans also include new all-weather undercover facilities, a revamped adventure golf facility, a new cafe and terrace, as well as the reopening of part of the former public toilets which have been closed for more than ten years.

Mr Peak said the third phase would bring the total investment in the site to more than £4million and was a “shot-in-the-arm” for the resort as it came hot on the heels of the opening of the £36million beaches.

He said: “I think this represents a really exciting time for Clacton and we need to make sure that we provide visitors with new experiences, not just during peak times but also during the off season.

“We've had a very mild November and footfall to the pavilion has been really good, particularly over half-term, but there is a lot of competition out there and Clacton needs to refresh its offer and keep ahead of the game.

“I am keen for people to see what we are doing and hope they might be able to lend support to the proposals.

“We’ve always seen tourism as a partnership approach and this includes the town centre, hotels and restaurants, as well as all the other businesses involved in catering to the visitor market.

“My view has always been that we need to work together to get people here, give them different things to do and a reason to come back and tell their friends to do the same.”

He added that the application would also be a boost for much-needed, full time jobs in the town.

Mr Peak said he wanted residents to see the plans before Tendring Council makes a decision, expected in the New Year.

An exhibition of the plans will take place at Armstrong’s at the pavilion on Friday from 3pm to 6.30pm.