SEA Scouts have completed the second phase of their new HQ after work was put on hold due to an arson attack.
The 2nd Warwick Sea Scouts completed the next stage of their ‘Building.a Future’ project with the construction of the shell for the new building in St Nicholas Park.
It is a huge milestone for the group after arsonists targeted the building site last year and it was hit with further delays due to the pandemic.
The group raised more than £700,000 to fund the project, with the first works seeing the jetties renovated and a new boatyard built.
Now work will continue throughout January to fit out the inside of the building, but more money must be raised to complete the project so they can open their doors to the community and more members by September.
Chair Viv Bosworth said: “It is so exciting to see our new HQ rise from the ashes after what has been a challenging year. We have been overwhelmed by the support we have had in making this happen, and to now see our HQ building in place and be able to walk inside, brings home the reality of what an amazing resource this will be not only for us, but also for the local community.
“With a final push for funds, we should be able to open our doors in 2021. Please do get in touch if you can help in any way.”
The building has been funded by Sea Scouts after extensive fundraising with the support of Warwick District Council and funders including National Grid, King Henry VIII Endowed Trust, 20th May 1961 Trust and the Bernard Sunley Foundation.
They group has also received support from the community including Warwick Town Council, Warwick Court Leet, Kenilworth Round Table, Warwick Rotary Club, St Nicholas Church, Kenilworth and Warwick Lions, Alderson House, St Mary’s Hall Trust, Edith & Jack Griffiths Trust, The Charity of Thomas Oken and Nicholas Eyffler and other smaller trusts and private donations.
District council leader Andrew Day said: “Warwick District Council is delighted to see such great progress being made on what will be an amazing new community resource for the local area.
“We have been incredibly happy to support this project over the last few years and it’s great to see it now becoming a reality. The new facility will enable the group to expand, giving even more of the district’s young people and children the opportunity to join and benefit from the many life-long skills and experiences they offer, whilst also establishing a great new community venue in the heart of Warwick.”
Visit www.2wk.org.uk to donate or find out more.
