A THREATENED outdoor education centre used by school pupils and families across Gloucestershire could be saved from closure if a private provider steps in to rescue it.
The South Cerney Outdoor Education Centre, along with several other outdoor activity centres, was threatened with closure under a cost-cutting review by Gloucestershire County Council earlier this year.
However the authority has agreed to save South Cerney, its most viable business, by leasing the centre as a going concern to another provider.
The 25-year lease would stipulate that its primary purpose should be as an outdoor activity centre and the council would continue to provide activities there until it is transferred to a new owner.
The centre, which offers a range of water sports, was used each year by pupils at Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School in Wotton-under-Edge, as well as many other local schools.
When the centre was faced with closure KLB pupil Miriam Smith, 16, launched a petition which she presented to the council.
Over 600 pupils signed the petition created by Miriam, who is a member of a canoe club at the outdoor centre and has qualified as a canoe instructor.
"Groups of pupils from KLB visit each year and they absolutely love it, there just isn’t another place like it nearby where you can try so many different activities," she said.
A report into the financial viability of various council-owned outdoor centres found that the only site that would be economically viable was South Cerney and that it could be offered to a new owner.
This would mean outdoor education would continue there and staff could potentially be kept on. The cabinet member who made the final decision, Cllr Will Windsor-Clive, said that working within the law due consideration should be given to the current users and community in the tendering process.
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