Rotherham could soon become home to a ‘world-class’ white water course, which would also serve as a water rescue training facility for firefighters. A proposal for the white water rapids facility in South Yorkshire has been submitted.
Manvers Lake and Dearne Valley Trust has put forward plans for the new training centre at the popular swimming spot in Wath. The £14 million project would see the creation of a horseshoe-shaped channel where water will be pumped in at speed to create rapids that flow back into the lake.
The water would be able to flow at a variety of speeds, making the site suitable for elite-level competitions such as white water canoe slalom. It would also offer Olympic-level training and coaching, as well as a unique recreational facility for South Yorkshire.
Developers have described the project as ‘world-class’, with hopes it will boost the local economy while offering sporting opportunities not currently available elsewhere in the county. However, the main driver behind the plans is the urgent need for improved firefighter training in water rescue.
With water-related incidents on the rise due to climate change, the proposed centre at Manvers Lake would provide South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue with a much-needed specialised training environment. Fire services across the UK struggle to find suitable facilities, so the centre could also attract emergency service workers from further afield, The Star reports.
Chris Kirby, chief fire officer at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said: “This project is not just for South Yorkshire – it will provide a national training resource for fire and rescue services across the country. The skills developed here will help save lives, support emergency responders, and set new standards in rescue training.
“Manvers Lake already has a lot going for it: high-quality water, good road and rail links, an existing on-site water sports and multi-sports club with 2,500 members, excellent infrastructure, and above all a site that lends itself perfectly to a white water channel, which can be tucked innocuously into the parkland setting.”
An investor event is set to be held at Manvers Lake on 25 September, bringing together government representatives, sporting bodies, private investors, and community leaders to explore funding options.
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Feature Image Credit: Manvers Lakes Trust
