Improvements unveiled for Hengistbury Head Outdoor Centre (From Thisisdorset)

Improvements unveiled for Hengistbury Head Outdoor Centre

10:30am Monday 22nd March 2010 in

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AN OUTDOOR education centre which had been threatened with closure, has been unveiled with more than £50,000 of improvements.

Brockenhurst College took over Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre in September last year and has spent thousands on renovating the building and new equipment.

The centre now boasts a revamped reception area, classrooms, kitchen, changing facilities and toilet areas and disability ramps built by Brockenhurst College students.

The college has committed to spending £100,000 over a five-year period to enhance the centre’s facilities and sporting activities.

Several clubs are based at the centre, including Southbourne Canoe Club, which has helped with the purchase of ten £1,000 sea kayaks and the Marine Volunteers who are involved in flood rescue.

The centre has 42 sailing boats, six powerboats, 24 open canoes, three fleets of general purpose kayaks, six rowing boats, a climbing wall, archery range, fleets of mountain bikes, windsurfers and pond dipping.

Head of outdoor education, Ted Rogers, said it would have been “a crime” if the centre had closed down.

He said: “When we came here there was no disabled access or facilities.

“We didn’t have windsurfing here before and we are bringing in rowing, archery and climbing.

“We have had people ringing us all through the winter wanting to know when we are opening.

“We don’t want to change the centre. We just want to develop it and ensure its future.”

Members of the Hengistbury Centre Community Interest Company, which lost out to Brockenhurst College in its bid to run the centre, will sit on its advisory group.

Alex Scott, deputy principal at Brockenhurst College, said: “It’s developing more or less on a daily basis.

“It offers a real working environment for students to develop their skills and the community. The feedback we have had from the community has been very positive.”

The centre will be open to the public from April 1, 2010.

For a copy of the course brochure ring the college on 01590 625555.