Christmas tree to light up outdoor education centre
Devon County Council leader John Hart will switch on the lights on a special Christmas tree to mark the topping out of a world class outdoor education and training centre in Exeter.
The £5.6 million centre on Haven Banks has now reached its highest point with the completion of the 25-metre climbing tower.
The centre itself will be completed in June. It will replace the existing, outdated activity centre on the canal basin.
The switch on of the Christmas tree – on top of the climbing tower – will be at 12 noon on Monday, 17th December.
Mr Hart will be joined by centre manager Ben Hedden and representatives from contractors Midas Construction and project managers NPS Property Services.
Devon County Council is funding the building and, in a pioneering partnership, it will be run by Exeter College on a day-to-day basis.
The existing activity centre currently provides outdoor education courses for more than 25,000 young people a year.
They include courses for sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, climbing, caving, orienteering, archery, raft building, team building and first aid at Haven Banks and locations around Devon.
The new centre will increase the take-up by providing a contemporary hub for outdoor adventure activities for young people and adults from Exeter and Devon and across the region.
Mr Hart said: “This is another major investment in Exeter by Devon County Council which will only serve to boost the economy of the city.
“It is the biggest single sum ever to be allocated from the proceeds of the sale of Exeter Airport.
“The new centre will provide 21st century facilities for a wide range of activities for both young people and adults in the growing sector of adventure pursuits.
“It is a major boost for Exeter and I am delighted that we have been able to enter into a long-term partnership with Exeter College to run the whole operation.”
Exeter College Principal, Richard Atkins, said: “Exeter College is delighted to be working as a strategic partner with Devon County Council and we have been supporting the build project to establish a world-class outdoor education and training centre for the people of Devon.
“We know from feedback that learners are excited to see the new building on the Quay and this will make a major contribution to the continued development and regeneration of the Exeter Canal Basin as well as ensuring that the area becomes a thriving hub for outdoor adventurous activities.
“We are looking forward to the new centre opening next summer and this will enable us to offer an innovative approach to education and training, with provision that will encompass the individual needs of a wide range of students, including those who are currently disengaged from education through to professionals undertaking training and development in leadership and management.
“Our Sport, Leisure, Tourism and Public Services programmes at the college are very popular and successful and this new centre will be an outstanding learning environment benefiting a wide range of learners from across Devon in this exciting and growing sector.”
Centre manager Ben Hedden said: “The facility will provide Exeter and the wider community with recreational and educational facilities which will be second to none.
“This will allow us to further engage young people and adults of every ability in the positive, adventurous activities we already provide.
“Although our present facilities have served us well for over 25 years, the new centre will offer state-of-the-art facilities which will complement and extend the professional courses and activities we already offer.”
Local county councillor Vanessa Newcombe said: “I am so excited about this amazing project, for which I obtained the original £2.75million from the Invest in Devon fund some years ago.
“It will provide facilities unmatched in the South West and be accessible to all.”
Midas Construction’s Divisional Director, Mike O’Neil said: “Topping out marks a milestone in a building project’s progress and is usually held when the structure reaches its highest point.
“The new 25 metre climbing tower is definitely the highest point of this complex and its completion so close to Christmas prompted us to use a Christmas tree as the symbol of reaching this milestone stage.
“This is a wonderful project and Midas is very proud to be associated with what will become a landmark building that will benefit so many young people in the Westcountry.”
