Plans are set to be submitted for a new state-of-the-art home for the City of Bath Sea Cadets to safeguard the future of the long-running charity and community organisation.
The existing headquarters of City of Bath Sea Cadets at 30 St John’s Road in central Bath are dilapidated and in need of urgent and extensive repair.
A new bespoke facility in its place will ensure that the Cadets can remain in the centre of Bath in a riverside location and help ensure its long-term survival.
Since 1946, the City of Bath Sea Cadets, a long-established unit in the Sea Cadet Corps, has given young people the opportunity to go out to sea, learn to sail, row and canoe and do adventure training, as well as acquire life skills to get a head start in life.
Children as young as 10, male and female, can join the organisation’s junior section with the senior cadets open to those aged 12 to 18.
Across the UK, 14,000 young people are challenging themselves and learning new maritime skills, including rowing, power-boating and kayaking, based on the customs and traditions of the Royal Navy.
Vice-Admiral Sir Edwin Horlick, President of City of Bath Sea Cadets said: “After considerable internal consultation and review of the options available, we have come up with a scheme which we believe is an excellent fit for Bath and will preserve the long-term future of the City of Bath Sea Cadet Unit.
“It will ensure that this fantastic community resource remains in the city centre in a riverside location so we can continue to support young people in pursuing their passion for a whole range of nautical activities.
“City of Bath Sea Cadets, a place where young people learn life skills and make lasting friendships, is a valuable community and social resource for the whole of the city so it is vital that it is future-proofed for many years to come.”
The proposals, which are expected to be submitted to the council in the coming weeks, will include the demolition of the current premises and the creation of a new state-of-the-art building as well as a new, modern slipway and pontoons.
On its ground floor, the new facility will provide bespoke accommodation for the Sea Cadets’ administrative, tuition and training needs, including male and female showers and wardroom facilities.
The project will also provide 18 new studio apartments for the postgraduate student rental market across the two floors above the Sea Cadets’ new home.
The redevelopment project is being funded through the creation of the studio apartments. A planning application is due to be submitted in the coming weeks.