Coronavirus has pushed back the opening of a new £1.3 million riverside venue in Newtown to next year.

Open Newtown has revealed that a contractor, who has not been publicly named, has been chosen to begin construction work at the site of the former Radio Maldwyn building in the Back Lane car park which was demolished in December.

Plans for the riverside building include a base for outdoor activities, events, river and forest school, water sports, bike and canoe hire, along with some tourist information centre provision and retail space. The site will also have toilet, locker and changing facilities.

An Open Newtown spokesperson told the County Times that the facility is not due to open until 2022 “due to delays brought about by Covid”.

Gary Mitchell, project lead, told Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council that the construction timeframe from January will be around 10 to 11 months “depending on how successful we might be at finding additional budgets to be able to complete the building to its intended specification.

“We understand there could be an impact on events using this space in 2021 and we are willing to work with the council and the events’ organisers (if any are to go ahead) to see what alternatives can be offered.”

Building work is also due to begin on a new bike hub this month which will be installed near the riverside venue.

“We hope to start the construction of the foundations for the new cycle hub mid January–using a local contractor, Ben Davies of Llanbrynmair.”

Mr Mitchell said. “The physical structure has been manufactured and is already in storage at Mr Davies’ yard ready for installation by the suppliers.”

He added: “Once installed the bike hub will be provided with a SolarPV array to power internal lights and offer charging points for electric bike batteries this will include a battery back-up system. The remaining roof space will be seeded with sedum and the structure is glass and timber again to reflect its association with the RV There will be a base for a future ‘railway station / facility’ and some hard standing for grass protection.

“Planning for these structures has been approved by PCC, and received no objections that we were made aware of.”