It is with great pleasure that we can announce the new Barrier-Free boathouse officially open !!. The opening ceremony took place on the 5th November. Paul Hill reprsenting the partnership group of construction companies handed the keys to the  Lord Mayor of Manchester Harry Lyons. The Lord Mayor along with children from Lancasterian school cut the ribbon to declare the facility open. It was a marvelous day, the weather was very kind to us allowing visitors to see the Boathouse in all its glory. We ran a number of activities on the lake including canoeing, yacht sailing and dinghy sailing. We also had an Access boat on loan, the Access boat is designed to allow disabled sailors total independence on the water and we are hoping to raise funds to buy two boats in the future.

Below is a copy of the press release sent out on the day.

Ghyll Head Outdoor Education Centre on the shore of Windermere is to open a new barrier free boathouse. Designed from the ground up to allow young people with mobility issues to access and enjoy lake based activities such as canoeing and sailing. A newly surfaced track leads to the new boathouse, its cedar and slate façade looks impressive, as is its functionality. The building which houses a lift, classroom with fantastic views of the lake and changing facilities is complemented by a new jetty complete with access hoist.

The fact that this project has happened in the current financial climate is pretty amazing, especially considering the labour and materials have all been generously donated by a number of North West construction companies. The project was conceived when the construction companies working for Manchester City Council took part in a team building event at Ghyll Head. Inspired by the work that the Centre does with young people from Manchester's Specialist Support Schools, the question asked was ‘How could the framework partners work together to improve facilities at the Centre and its goal of making outdoor activities more inclusive. The answer offered was ‘Better access for disabled participants to the lakeside'.

It became apparent very quickly this would be a technically demanding project both physically and aesthetically due to the location of the building on a steep slope next to the lake with no road access for heavy equipment. Lakeland Marine Construction a local company specialising in this type of work were brought onboard to work with the partnership to complete the construction.

This first class facility which has now been donated to Manchester City Council will no doubt improve the quality of the lake experience at Ghyll Head for all young people. The Centre staff are amazed with the generosity of the 57 companies involved and are looking forward to maximising its potential with the young people of Manchester and the North West  for years to come.