 Construction of the camp began in 1935 and it was opened in 1936 , when it quickly proved to be a success with a need for expansion . The camp included dining and recreation facilities , such as dance halls and sports fields . During World War II , the camp was subject to a short military occupation when it served as a Naval training base , reverting to being a holiday camp in 1946 . Over the past 75 years the camp has seen continuous use and development , in the mid @-@ 1980s and again in the late 1990s being subject to substantial investment and redevelopment . 
