Work on the new state-of-the-art scout headquarters in Daventry Country Park is due to be completed this month.
As the final touches are made to the new building, the 2nd Daventry Scouts are expected to begin fitting out the headquarters within the next couple of weeks.Daventry District Council has overseen the construction of the eco-friendly base for over a year at Daventry Country Park, off Northern Way, Daventry, and it’s hoped that a smooth transition will allow the scouts to move in before the Easter holiday.
The new headquarters have been funded by Daventry District Council and the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC), which are working closely with other partner organisations to deliver the Town Centre Vision - ambitious plans to develop the heart of Daventry.
It has been designed by Badby Architects G4 Design and built by Milton Keynes based Pauley Construction. The building is designed to sit comfortably in the landscape, and utilises local stone for the gabion walls, English grown Douglas Fir cladding and has a sedum roof which will encourage wildlife. Solar panels will provide hot water, the walls are insulated with sheeps' wool and rainwater from the roofs is stored and recycled for flushing toilets.
Ed Hibberd, Chairman of the 2nd Daventry Scouts, said: “There will be lot of nostalgia when we leave our current HQ, which we have occupied for over 40 years, but who would not be looking forward to moving into a new purpose built HQ in such a splendid location?
“We believe this type of environmentally-friendly building is one of the first of its kind in the county and can be used as a pioneering example of sustainable building, from which other scout groups can base future designs on.
“Its location in the Country Park is ideal and, as we enter our 100th year, we are looking forward to welcoming scouts here for many years to come.”
Mr Hibberd added that the scouts were planning on celebrating the completion of the new headquarters with an official opening ceremony and day of activities currently being planned for June.
Councillor Chris Over, Economic, Regeneration and Employment Portfolio Holder at Daventry District Council, said: “We’re delighted to have been working so closely with the scouts on their new headquarters, which are now almost complete.
“The building has been designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible and gives the scouts state-of-the-art base within the country park, which in itself offers youngsters an excellent resource for learning about their natural environment.”
Roger Mendonca, Acting Chief Executive of WNDC, said: “WNDC is pleased to have played a part in this exciting project that will soon deliver a fantastic building for the Daventry Scouts. WNDC’s purpose is to deliver physical regeneration and development in Daventry and this project is an excellent example of WNDC’s continued involvement in local communities”.
http://www.daventrydc.gov.uk/news/scout-headquarters-set-for-completion-07-04-09/