Work starts on college’s playground
Students at Portland College spoke of their excitement as a wheelchair-friendly zip line came one step closer to opening.
In ground-breaking ceremony, Mark Dale, principal and chief executive officer of the college, said “I can’t tell you how excited I am”.
Mark, who pioneered the project along with Edward Johnstone, assistant principal, broke the ground at the site of a new adventure playground, along with representatives from seven organisations that have supported the project.
The new Adventure Zone will feature a climbing tower, 90 metre zipline, adventure trail, bike trail and outdoor sports.
The adventure zone will be accessible to people with disabilities, including wheelchair users, and primary schools in the area will be able to use the facilities for free. At weekends, the Adventure Zone will be open to families to enjoy a fun day out in nature. Students Harry Wright, 17, Amy Barnes, 19, Harrison Andrews, 18, and Dominic Evans, 21, told the Chad how much they are looking forward to the zipline.
“I’ve told my family about it – my cousin likes climbing. It sounds really good.”
Mr Dale gave a speech, thanking businesses and the community for their ongoing support throughout the initial fundraising campaign, which has made the project possible.
A spokesperson for the college said: Work is progressing quickly in the woodlands on the campus, with a tight schedule of planned development over the summer months.
“The zipline looks like the best part.”