THE cost of transforming a Winchester Scout hut could triple after major setbacks are revealed.

The 1st Winchester Scout Hut, in Fleming Road in Weeke, is used by around 190 youngsters each week, and refurbishment works are well under way.

The centre will be used as a pre-school during the day and Scout hut in the evening, after plans were approved by city councillors in April. It is due to open on October 1.

However, chairman of the 1st Winchester Scouts David Kesby, says that is likely to be pushed back after problems with the concrete floor setting on time.

He said: “It’s going to cost us about three and a half times as we thought. We are waiting for the concrete to dry. It takes one day per millimetre of concrete, and we have 75mm. Last week was a great high because somebody very generously offered to pay for our shelving and storage, but then the next week we get this.”

The refurbishment has been on the cards for nearly five years, will cost over £200,000 and will see the hut re-roofed with a new outer ‘skin’ to stop it from leaking. (See below for design impression) 

Hampshire Chronicle: An impression of how the hut will look. An impression of how the hut will look.

It will also be extended by about 20 feet, and redesigned on the inside to make it appropriate for a pre-school.

Around 100 Scouts will be walking from Brownsea Island, the site of the first Scout group set up by Baden Powell, to Abbey House in Winchester this weekend (July 12-13) to help raise funds for the work.

The Scout volunteers will be meeting on July 21 to discuss the issue.