Dive Centre Makes a Splash in Walton

LONG -distance yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur has launched an exciting new centre which will enable young people to learn about sailing and diving.

The, state –of-the art Glaciere Sail Dive centre at Oakmere Community College in Walton provides vocational training, exciting positive activities and basic skills to disadvantaged 13-19 years olds in Merseyside. It is the only centre of its type in the UK.

Ellen MacArthur said: "I was really excited to be asked to open the new Glaciere centre at Oakmere Community College which is providing some brilliant facilities for local people to go sailing and diving.”

The centre has been created from what was previously an industrial unit, never before used for learning. Its development has been supported by a £50,000 grant from the  social enterprise strand of the Stepclever Enterprise Gateway . It also received funding from the Youth Sector Development Fund.

The new purpose built nautical style centre will allow Oakmere to offer further learning and enrichment opportunities to students, enabling them to progress to employment, education or training. It has classrooms, meeting rooms, changing facilities, a retail outlet and boasts a 6ft deep swimming and diving training pool. 

Neil Francom the Administration Manager for Oakmere Community College said “The new facility brings together two existing charities, Oakmere Community College and Glaciere Sailing and Diving School and will create a centre of excellence that will provide accredited learning and enrichment activities for our students.

“The capital investment award from Stepclever allows us to provide an exceptionally well resourced facility which is unique in Greater Merseyside. At Oakmere we are all about helping the most disadvantaged and vulnerable young people of Merseyside gain the skills they need to move into employment and further learning, and this project really offers our young people a way into activities that were previously completely inaccessible to them.”