£4 million redevelopment of Windermere Marina completed
Marina Projects Limited, a UK-based marina consultancy business, has overseen a £4 million redevelopment of Windermere Marina Village on Lake Windermere, located in the heart of the Lake District National Park. The redevelopment of the facility has been designed and project managed by Marina Projects to introduce a significant improvement and upgrade to the existing marina facilities.
Located to the south of Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere Marina Village is the largest full-service marina, providing 337 berths on Lake Windermere within the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site. The full-service marina has moorings for annual berth holders and visitors, along with a fuel berth, slipway and boatyard facilities.
The construction was completed over three consecutive winter phases.
Marina Projects was commissioned for a broad range of specialist support to include:
- Strategic advice on the initial planning permission
- Relevant environmental approvals
- Concept design and specification of the new marina
- Procurement and contract administration
- Project management and site supervision
The primary strategy for the redevelopment was the replacement of all existing traditional fixed timber jetty structures which were submerged by floods on an annual basis, with modern floating pontoon equipment. Flood protection is an ever-increasing issue in the marine environment with the rising threat of global climate change and the transition to floating pontoons away from fixed jetties will help to mitigate the potential of any future flood events, following periods of sustained high rainfall.
The redevelopment also provided the opportunity to undertake a complete review of the existing customer fleet and establish a new berthing layout designed to optimise the space on the water. Designed in accordance with industry codes, the new layout provides improved access and navigation within the marina for all vessels, with the largest up to 15m LOA.
As part of the new design and installation, consideration was given to the enhancement of customer access and circulation to the marina through dedicated access arrangements, high-quality berth utilities to include fibre connections to the vessel, along with upgraded Wi-Fi installation across the basin.
UK specialist pontoon contractor Walcon Marine completed the main construction works to include the demolition of existing timber jetties and the supply and installation of new marina pontoon equipment. Local Cumbrian contractor Jetties & Moorings provided support to the demolition works and completed a targeted campaign of dredging to complement the construction programme. UK pedestal manufacturer Maricer supplied all utilities equipment in readiness for installation by local electrical contractor UK Electrical Services (UES Ltd).
Dan Fairweather, Windermere Marina Village manager says: “The new marina provides our customers with the modern berthing facility that they deserve. The improvements cannot be understated, mitigating the risk of flood events through the introduction of high-quality berthing facilities within the sheltered confines of our marina basin. Marina Projects have worked with us to understand the needs of the business, establishing a design that delivers a new market leading marina on Lake Windermere. My thanks go to out to all involved in the project from start to finish.”
Simon Goodhead, Marina Projects commercial director says: “It has been a pleasure to work with the client team throughout the life of this project. Moving away from traditional timber jetties to a floating pontoon solution provides Windermere Marina Village with an unparalleled enhancement against flood protection. Walcon Marine have completed the works to a very high standard, and I am pleased the Marina Projects had the opportunity to been part of such a successful and meaningful project for our client”.
