The beloved Stibbington Centre, a staple for school trips, is set to be sold to an undisclosed buyer, sparking curiosity about its future.
Stibbington: The Stibbington Outdoor Centre, a favorite for school trips, is up for sale. It’s owned by Cambridgeshire County Council and has seen better days.
This historic building dates back to the early 1870s. It started as a school and later became a spot for day trips and overnight stays.
Sadly, the council decided to close it in 2023. They mentioned a big loss due to fewer visitors. They put it on the market in 2024, and there were nine offers.
Recently, the council picked a preferred buyer, but we don’t know who it is yet. They did say the new owners plan to respect the site and create jobs.
Councillor Simon Bywater is excited about the future plans. Councillor Mark Goldsack thinks it’s the perfect solution for the building. They all want to share more details once the sale is finalized.
When they closed the centre, the council said the sale money would help improve their other outdoor centres. They want to make sure the funds benefit Grafham Water and Burwell House.
Some councillors wondered why it took so long to find a buyer. The officers explained that the centre didn’t fully close until August 2023. They had to check if other services needed the building before selling it.
It seems some steps could have been done earlier to speed things up. The officers agreed to consider this feedback for future sales.
