Building Design

So, what will this building look like?  And what will it provide?

It has been designed for consistency with the wildlife centre run by the wildlife trust up on the top of the hill.  The site is fairly sensitive, being a picturesque nature reserve, so we have taken care to blend in.  Here's an artist's my impression of what the building might look like.

The design is for a 2 storey building.  The foundation is a concrete raft supporting a timber frame, with cladding walls and slate roof.  Shuttered windows will add security, and parking spaces, including designated disabled parking, will be provided right next to the building.

There is an existing slipway for launching the sailing dinghies and safety boats, and a shingle beach for kayaks.  When Sailability join us, they will need a pontoon out into the lake to enable their members to embark in their boats pre-rigged and afloat.  This pontoon is also being designed at the moment.

Downstairs is a boat store for all our equipment, with large doors opening onto the slipway into the lake.  Male and female changing, toilets and showers are also on the ground floor, with separate facilities for disabled users, and a galley kitchen and side rooms.  Stairs or lift take you to the first floor, where there is a large main hall, side meeting rooms and further kitchen facilities.

Here are some further elevation drawings to give you some idea of what is planned.












As for the service and benefits that the Aquativity Centre will actually provide, I can do no better than quote from the project business plan:

"Despite the strong emphasis on boating as part of the lifestyle of the Southampton and Solent region, there is surprisingly no inland, non-tidal water suitable for sailing, canoeing and rowing within 10 miles of Totton.  As well as the obvious practical skills learnt from these activities, the participants gain self-confidence, self-respect, pride, leadership and teamwork skills.  These values form the central ethos of the Scouting movement and are at the heart of this project.  Delivery of the Aquativity Centre to the people of the Totton district will enable a wide cross-section of the community to participate in the drive to build a fitter, healthier Britain in the run-up to, and beyond, the Olympics and Paralympics of 2012.

The project involves designing, funding and building the Centre, followed by the operational phase of running it as both a Scout headquarters and a boating centre for the wider community.

...

There are clear benefits that will accrue from this project for the groups that use it and for the wider community in which it is based.

·       A boating facility for any young people and disabled people in an (approx) 10-15 mile radius around Totton - safe inland water facilities not otherwise available locally

·       Opportunities for anyone using the centre to grow skills in leadership, self-awareness, motivation and self-respect as well as direct boating skills and health and fitness benefits.  This applies to the young and disabled people using the centre, as well as the able-bodied adults providing leadership, instruction and coordination.  This is Scouting at its best, leading the provision of a service to the community

·       A new permanent home for the Eling Sea Scouts, with combined high quality boating and Scout building facilities. This will enable the group to more effectively offer continued challenges and opportunities within the structured framework of a Royal Navy Recognised Sea Scout Group

·       To increase the recreational use of Testwood Lake in line with the stated aims of both New Forest District Council, and the New Forest National Park draft plan"