A whole new era for the north bay was secured yesterday when the meeting of Scarborough Borough Council's Full Council gave its backing to the re-development of the former site as part of the Sands development.

The council agreed to the £3.5m construction to be funded from surplus arising from Phase one of the Sands Development.

The scheme will also include a dancing waters feature subject to Yorkshire Forward funding.

The council has also agreed to award the licence to operate the facility to Apollo Resorts and Leisure Limited subject to resolving outstanding legal issues.

The deal will commit Apollo to delivering a number of major events each year and is based on a 25 year commitment.

The final programme of events for the opening season is still to be negotiated, but both residents and visitors should expect some big names and high quality shows, which will appeal to a wide family audience.

Speaking about the decision the council'd chief executive Jim Dillon, said: "I believe that this will have a significant impact on both tourism and the economic well-being of the borough.

"It will be a unique facility and really put Scarborough on the national and international map."