Hengistbury Head Outdoor Activity Centre is set to be revived after a new lease was signed with BCP Council.
The education centre, which is located in Christchurch Harbour, transferred into community ownership via a Community Asset Transfer from the Council earlier this week.
The facility, which was primarily used for water sports, has been closed since March 2020 after a survey found the main building to be unsafe for public use. It was brought back into direct ownership by the council in 2021 from former operator Brockenhurst College.
Now, with the signing of the lease, the new owners of the centre are set to benefit from a government grant of almost £670,000 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (DCLG) towards its immediate refurbishment and repair.
This grant is subject to certain conditions being met and £155,000 being raised in matching funds by the society.
Cllr Mike Cox, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance said: “This is a wonderful outcome for Hengistbury Head Outdoor Activity Centre. As a responsible council, it’s vital that we ensure that assets held by us are transferred into the ownership of suitable organisations which will provide a future community benefit whilst ensuring public ownership is retained.
The Outdoor Activity Centre is already being used by community groups, who will now have long term access to the centre, with plans now to widen the use of the facility to as much of the local community as possible.
Photo left to right:
- Councillor Bernadette Nanovo – Ward Councillor
- Neil Woods – Director- HHO
- Dan Stone – Lead Council Officer
- Councillor Mike Cox – Deputy Leader, and Portfolio Holder for Finance
- Mark Merritt – Director – HHO
- ‘Bill Howlett’ Director – HHO
- Sam Arnold – Director – HHO
- Max Tome – Director- HHO