Activity centre counts cost of 'devastating' flood

Activity centre staff are assessing the damage caused by a second deluge of flooding in 12 months.

The Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre was engulfed by flood water from the swollen River Soar this week, having been submerged during Storm Henk in January 2024.

The latest flooding has wrenched pontoon docks from their moorings and damaged the building's electrics.

Centre education manager Hayley Smithham-Hopewell said the centre, in Belgrave, had been forced to close and it was unclear when it would reopen.

"I wanted to sit and cry when I saw the damage," said Ms Smitham-Hopewell.

"This all happened 12 months ago, now we are back here facing the same thing. It's all soul-destroying.

"The river came up higher this time so we have had a lot more damage.

"The water came into the building up to window level so it would have happened even if we had flood defences.

"In terms of height and force of water, it is worse."

The charity, in Loughborough Road, offers people the chance to take part in activities like canoeing and climbing.

Ms Smitham-Hopewell added: "We have lost all the electrics in the building even though we moved all the sockets higher after the last flood.

"We now are clearing up and trying to work out the extent of the damage."

The centre has launched an online appeal to try to raise £30,000 for repairs and to cover lost income.

Ms Smitham-Hopewell said: "The long-term goal is to lift the whole building up so this doesn't happen.

"That probably means knocking it down and starting again but that will cost millions.

"It's not a quick fix and we won't get that in the next 12 months."

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