A NEW building at an outdoor education centre used by East Lancashire schools has been shortlisted for a national award.

Windermere Lodge at Tower Wood Outdoor Education Centre is a finalist in the Society for Public Architecture, Construction, Engineering and Surveying (SPACES) Civic Building of the Year competition.

The national competition, now in its 13th year, rewards excellence in design and construction and recognises the role that clients, designers and builders have played in the building’s creation.

Tower Wood provides outdoor adventure facilities for schools, youth groups, corporate groups, adults and families.

The eye-catching design of the £2.9m building, stepped over several levels, was tailored to meet the strict requirements of the picturesque site in the Lake District National Park.

It was opened in October last year and was opened by Accrington yachtsman Andy Hindle.

The accommodation allows 59 visitors to stay in 26 mainly twin-bedded rooms, some of which have been adapted to allow children and young people with disabilities and their families to make full use of Tower Wood’s outdoor facilities.

County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, said: “I’m really impressed by the quality of the new facilities that we can now offer at Tower Wood.

“The building has been constructed using well-insulated timber framing, clad with thermowood and roofed with zinc and a sedum green roof.

“The windows are aluminium–clad softwood, the domestic hot water and underfloor space heating is provided by air-source heat pumps.

“The majority of the building has been placed on a brownfield area within the site, which was actually an area of forest track that wasn’t used anymore. The building that is visible has been dug into the hillside and steps down with the slope of the hillside.”

The national awards ceremony will be taking place on Friday, November 6, in Bristol.