The Scout Association

Home : News : Scouts build eco-centre

Scouts build eco-centre

15/10/2009

An eco-friendly, state-of-the-art Scout and Guide Centre has opened in Nottinghamshire, the first of its kind in the County.

The Ollerton centre has been built using sustainable sources; the glass is super energy efficient, the floor and walls are dual layered for effective insulation and it is fully clad in green oak, which needs to be treated once every 20 years.

The main function of the new centre is to enable Scouting and Guiding to provide young people with new and exciting opportunities. With just under 200 Scouts and Guides already using the centre, it has proved an instant hit. Ryan, a 16-year-old Explorer Scout said, ‘It's just an amazing place to meet, it's got everything we need and it looks cool too. It's even got space outside to camp and learn outdoor skills.’

Saving energy

Hot water for the centre is provided by a huge ground source heat pump which is buried under the length of the front field, meaning that in the long term the group will see a significant drop in utility bills.

The eco-friendly building, worth £400,000 has been a long time coming says Group Leader Dave Leatherland, ‘Raising the money was a real challenge, but with everybody working together, we did it.’  

The group was support by the Coalfield Regeneration Trust, who granted £196,000; the National Lottery, who awarded £110,000 and by lots of other companies, organisations and who donated the rest, not to mention £70,000 of its own money.

The first of many

This is the first of three new centres being opened, said Matt Rooney from the Nottinghamshire Scouts. ‘I am amazed by this place, it is incredible to see a brand new Scout and Guide Centre being opened. It is proof that Scouting and Guiding are still just as relevant and popular in 2009 as they were when they first started. There is a fully re-furbished Scout headquarters opening in Chilwell Nottingham next weekend and then another brand new activity centre being opened in Collingham the weekend after.’

 

 

Comments

By frank saunders on 15/10/2009 12:28 congratulations, a worthwhile effort.

By malcolm on 15/10/2009 15:23 it's brill been inside and hired it out on many occasions.

By Mick Harrop on 21/10/2009 20:58 Well done guys. Lets hope it's the first of many!

By Vanessa Bonner on 22/10/2009 16:48 Well done! Our group in Suffolk has embarked on such a project and I know how daunting the whole thing is but we can look to you and think "It can be done"! Quite an inspiration.