£3m makeover outdoor centre for Lancashire children

8:56am Wednesday 17th October 2012 in News

An artist's impression of the centre An artist's impression of the centre

A POPULAR centre, which allow youngsters from Lancashire to explore the Lake District is to be given a £3million overhaul.

The investment from Lancashire County Council will see Tower Wood outdoor education centre, on the banks of Lake Windermere, become home to a new accommodation building.

It will allow thousands of visitors, including school parties and families with disabled children, to stay onsite during their visit.

The design of the new building, stepped over several levels, has been tailored to meet the strict requirements of the picturesque site in the Lake District National Park.

Up to 60 visitors will be able to stay in 26 mainly twin-bed rooms, some of which have been fully adapted for disabled children.

The project was signed off by County Councillor Geoff Driver, leader of the county council.

He said: “Giving young people the best possible start in life is one of our highest priorities and this is a superb example of how the county council aims to make a difference.

“Tower Wood is a place that has enriched the lives of young people for many years and this investment will help it make an even bigger and better contribution in future.

“You only have one chance at childhood and, even with the financial pressures the council is facing, we will do everything we can to support and encourage young people to fulfil their potential.”

Tower Wood is mainly used by schools from Lancashire, including Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool, for water-based activities such as sailing, canoeing and kayaking, and also rock climbing, mountaineering, caving and mountain bik- ing.

Tower Wood has its own private jetties and lake access, together with a fully equipped boathouse, and an experienced and committed staff team who hold the full range of teaching and outdoor qualifications.

Comments (2)

9:04am Wed 17 Oct 12

Noiticer says...

This is an excellent resource which provides superb experiences for children. Sadly, so many outdoor pursuit centres have beeen closed over the past twenty years because of cuts and the cost of staying in such facilities. Also, schools have often concentrated on a narrow curriculum at the expense of developing children's adventurous spirits.
This is an excellent resource which provides superb experiences for children. Sadly, so many outdoor pursuit centres have beeen closed over the past twenty years because of cuts and the cost of staying in such facilities. Also, schools have often concentrated on a narrow curriculum at the expense of developing children's adventurous spirits. Noiticer

11:53am Wed 17 Oct 12

woolywords says...

One centre got told that their insurance premium was going up after they told their brokers that they were going to cater for non-able bodied. So they decided to work with the insurance company and find out how to reduce the risks.
The upshot is, after spending a lot of money, the premium was higher than it was than when they first made enquiries. The reason given was, with more wheelchairs in the place, the same staffing levels, so the risk was higher. The fact that each wheelchair bound visitor had their own carer could not be factored into the risk assessment.
One centre got told that their insurance premium was going up after they told their brokers that they were going to cater for non-able bodied. So they decided to work with the insurance company and find out how to reduce the risks. The upshot is, after spending a lot of money, the premium was higher than it was than when they first made enquiries. The reason given was, with more wheelchairs in the place, the same staffing levels, so the risk was higher. The fact that each wheelchair bound visitor had their own carer could not be factored into the risk assessment. woolywords

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