KING’S SCHOOL WELCOMES MICHAEL BAKER BOATHOUSE

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08/10/12

KING’S SCHOOL WELCOMES MICHAEL BAKER BOATHOUSE

The Michael Baker Boathouse has been built by local building contractor Speller Metcalfe, following an extraordinary donation of £2.5m to the project by ex-pupil, Michael Baker, enabling the project to become a reality.

The specialist Small Works team at Speller Metcalfe took on the project as part of a 10-year masterplan to improve facilities at the School, knocking down the original 1950s Boathouse that was deemed unsuitable and had suffered long-term flood damage.

The works were also integrated into Worcester City Council’s ‘Worcester Waterfront Project’ to regenerate and improve the City’s riverside.

The building has now become a key focal point along the river due to its boat shaped structure. It is also a highly sustainable development that incorporates a range of features to improve energy efficiency, emitting almost no carbon emissions whatsoever.

Bill Cave, Small Works Director at Speller Metcalfe, said: “This was a challenging project on many levels due to the boat-like shape of the building, the limited access down a narrow street and minimising disruption to local businesses, however we extremely proud of what has been achieved.

“The project is highly sustainable, has increased the ground floor space by 60 per cent for storage of boats and equipment and also provides secure, disabled access from the Boathouse to the School for the first time.”

The Boathouse now houses a teaching and fitness space with kitchen, office and changing facilities, alongside the storage unit and workshop, and is also available to hire for functions and weddings.

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