Condover Hall to become children's adventure centre

A MULTI-MILLION pound adventure centre for children is to be built in the grounds of a Shropshire stately home, creating 60 jobs.

Condover Hall, near Shrewsbury, will be refitted to become a centre for learning when it opens next year, after it was today snapped up by adventure course provider JCA.

The hall was previously owned by Priory Education Services and was run as an education centre for young people with autism.

The firm decided to sell the four-storey property because of mounting maintenance costs and it was put on the market in July 2009.

JCA, which is part of the TUI Travel PLC, today announced it has bought it with bosses saying they were "delighted" to have purchased it.

The company provides residential activity courses for young people and has 13 UK centres.

A range of activities for pupils in Year Four and above will be provided in the Grade I-Elizabethan mansion and grounds including abseiling, archery, climbing and fencing.

There will also be state-of-the-art themed rooms in the main building with names to tantalise children including the Laser Room and the Wizard Room.

JCA has approval from Shropshire Council to convert the courtyard building to a dining room and change the use of some of the buildings to sleeping accommodation.

It is also permitted to carry out a programme of external works to include outdoor games and activity areas, and demolish an elevated walkway.

Janie Burt, managing director of the firm, said that about 60 jobs would be created through the new venture.

She said: "JCA is delighted to have purchased this incredible historic building and we are looking forward to opening its doors to local students.

"Unlocking Condover Hall's huge investment potential, we plan to capitalise on its unique historic features, sympathetically restoring it to its former glory, whilst furnishing it with a high-ropes course and the latest sports facilities."

The hall will also be available for use as a conference centre with facilities including a cinema room, swimming pool, sports hall, IT suite, and meeting rooms.

By Emma Kasprzak