Maidenhead & Windsor

It's time to push the Maidenhead boat out – literally – with next week's official opening of the new facilities for visitors at Hurley Lock.

Have-a-go canoeing and kayaking sessions will be among the highlights of the afternoon's activities when Maidenhead sports personality and Hurley village resident Steve Rider cuts the ribbon to open the new log-cabin style centre alongside the river on Tuesday August 22.

Hurley village residents and young people who use the Maidenhead Royal Borough's outdoor education project will be among guests invited to celebrate the opening of the new £300,000 facilities alongside the river at Hurley Lock.

The festivities will kick off with demonstrations of canoeing and kayaking by members of the Royal Borough's outdoor education project, followed by the official ribbon-cutting and free river trips aboard the Environment Agency's patrol boat, as well as have-a-go sessions in canoeing and kayaking for all ages.

Folk Group Blackbird Quality will provide the musical backdrop to the event from a gazebo alongside the new centre and (weather permitting) visitors are encouraged to picnic on the grass outside.

The eagerly-awaited new log-cabin style centre is the result of a partnership between the Maidenhead Royal Borough, the Environment Agency and Slough Borough Council and supported by funding from the Big Lottery Fund, Clear Skies and Hurley Village Association/Powergen Green Plan Fund.

The centre will provide up-to-date changing/showering accommodation, public toilets (accessible from the outside even when the building is closed), a staff area and storage for an increased number of boats used by young people.

With the emphasis on making the facilities as environmentally-friendly as possible, the centre will be heated by a renewable energy ground source heat pump which will enable it to be used throughout the year and open up the fun, sport and educational opportunities for young people – including canoeing and kayaking to PE level.

The environmental theme will continue during the afternoon with display boards from Thames Valley Energy providing information on a variety of environmental energy schemes.

Cllr Richard Fagence, lead member for Maidenhead leisure and cultural services, said: "A great deal of hard work has gone into providing a modern, safe environment where our young people can take part in stimulating and challenging activities all year round.

"These new facilities have certainly given us all a centre to be proud of, and a place where dedicated and enthusiastic staff can continue to encourage young people to develop their talents and really enjoy healthy outdoor sport and physical activity."

Don Vickers, Environment Agency recreation team leader, said: "This new centre is a great opportunity for more young people to get active and enjoy having fun on the River Thames safely. I hope we see lots of new people making the most of it!"

An important element of the whole scheme was the recent installation of mains drainage to the island by the Environment Agency. Don Vickers added: "This was crucial to making the project happen as it ensured public toilets could be installed, therefore increasing the uses the site can offer."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead