Waters Edge breaks ground for mega entertainment centre project

Situated on the outskirts of Colombo and surrounded by the tranquil waters of the Diyawanna, Waters Edge Battaramulla is known globally for its breathtaking views and plethora of restaurants that serve up gourmet cooking from around the world. It is also a preferred choice for those who desire breathtaking venues for special events that are located throughout the landscape of the property. 
Lead by the ideas and efforts of Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, Waters Edge Chairman Chamath De Silva and General Manager Rohan Fernandopulle, the waterfront property has many projects in the pipeline. The groundbreaking ceremony for one of the most ambitious projects to date was held yesterday under their patronage. 
The event was also attended by high-ranking officials from the ministry, the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and Waters Edge. ‘The Station at the Edge’ will be a one-of-a-kind entertainment hub that brings together sports and entertainment.
Speaking at the ceremony, De Silva noted, “Sports and entertainment have a long history of being an integral part of people’s lives. We, as Sri Lankans, love our cricket and many other sports have also come up in the recent past. 
As an island blessed with an abundance of waterworks, we have also seen a significant rise in interest for water sports. This new centre will be a culmination of both indoor and outdoor activities. Waters Edge is looking to be the hub for sports entertainment in the country, providing a platform for all sports in the country.”
The development project aims to create a recreation, leisure and sports facility on the far side of the water front in collaboration with the Sports Ministry and UDA. With an aim of introducing sports tourism to Sri Lanka, the space will also allow various sports associations and bodies the chance to utilize the area for national and international level sporting events.
The centre will facilitate 30 sports including many water sports such as kayaking, rowing and wind surfing among many others. The centre will be segregated into three different categories under extreme sports, leisure sports and kids’ sports. 
The main objectives behind the project are to convert acres of land into an area that provides the public with an opportunity to engage in sports and relax while also providing the youth of the country with state-of-the-art facilities to train at. The preservation of the nature that surrounds the hotel is also one of the causes that sit close to the hearts of the hotel and the UDA with much emphasis being placed on sustainable infrastructure development. 
The project will also feature a unique train running along a rail track consisting of seven carriages that will be converted into kitchens and three passenger compartments revamped into restaurants serving up hawker-style street food. 
The platform beside the railway track too will be used as part of the restaurants creating a typical train station atmosphere with the hustle and bustle that is commonplace of a Sri Lankan railway station. Ensuring that the restaurant is accessible to all, food will be affordably priced and made fresh daily. A fresh fish market is also on the cards.