London & South East

Ferry Meadows receives a facelift

A £2 million refurbishment project is underway at Ferry Meadows Watersports Centre in Cambridgeshire to modernise its cafe and activity centre.

The watersports centre and cafe are the main attraction at The Nene Park Trust but the buildings are now 30 years old and therefore need attention.

The project began in April 2013 and is estimated to be completed by January 2014. Due to the nature of the work, which will involve extensive demolition and construction to both buildings, the site is set to be shut for the majority of this period. However the Trust is looking into various options for temporary catering arrangements in the interim period.

Progress of the watersports centre and café are coming along steadily; the walls are taking shape and window casements for the large glass front of the cafe are being installed. First fit electrics have since commenced and the Trust is in discussion with Maber Architects, who are the design team on the project, about the finishes to the interior of the cafe and centre.

Lindum Group Limited are the main contractors for the refurbishment project. Based in Lincolnshire Lindum Group primarily offer construction services but now have expanded to doing new build, refurbishment and maintenance projects.

The project hosts many interesting design features including raised flooring in the cafe and activity centre to prevent flooding. The building also comprises of a Zinc roof and boasts Trespa and Larch cladding, as well as aluminium curtain walling.

A new car park will also be built on site to provide more room for visitors. The existing large car park will remain and a new smaller one will be constructed. The site is also being designed with eco-friendliness at its fore and the new building will contain solar panels and a rainwater harvesting system.

The Nene Park Trust is a registered charity which holds a 999 year lease on the Park and manages commercial properties and other assets on the site. The Trust is therefore managing the refurbishment project and is in charge of awarding the operation of the activity centre and cafe to the appropriate individuals.

Green and Pleasant, and Company of Cooks are the two organisations that will partner up to run the new waterside cafe. As well as offering a stunning view of the lake the cafe is ideally placed for functions such as parties, weddings and conferences.

Three potential operators of the watersports and outdoor activity centre have been shortlisted by the Trust. The interested parties will submit their business plans in early November and wait for the charity to make their final decision. 

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Roma Publications