Plans to create a whitewater centre in the heart of Cardiff have been unveiled by the Cardiff Harbour Authority and the Welsh Canoeing Association (WCA).

The WCA has been working with Cardiff City Council on the £3.5m proposals which would include a 250m course with an an adjustable obstacle system pumping up to 18 cubic metres of water per second to allow the course to be adapted for the users’ requirements.

The course would be capable of hosting international canoeing and rafting competitions while the adjacent centre could be used by a variety of other sports and water rescue courses.

Rich Harvey, acting chief executive of the WCA, said: “If we are able to produce this facility, then Cardiff will offer us the potential to have a centre of excellence for a number of canoeing disciplines – such as slalom, freestyle, polo, sprint and marathon – as well as for lifeguarding and sailing.

“It would also provide a valuable resource for coaching and an essential destination for recreational paddling of all forms.”

Two possible sites are being considered for the centre: the Cardiff International Sports Village in Grangetown and the Mount Stuart Graving Docks on Cardiff’s waterfront.

Funding for the scheme is being sought from the New Opportunities Fund, British Waterways, the Environment Agency, the Welsh Assembly and UK Sport.