Colomendy started life as a wartime evacuation camp

Liverpool council bought Colomendy at Loggerheads near Mold in 1957 to act as a country haven for city children.

But the complex which first opened in 1939 is in need of updating and has recently been losing �1m a year.

Liverpool council's executive board is approved the redevelopment on Friday.

The proposals will see the authority enter an initial three-year agreement with a preferred operator.

Work will start this autumn on �1m of initial improvements to the outdoor adventure facilities along with redecoration of the accommodation. A further �9m is being earmarked from the council's education budget over three years.

The site has seen better days and is in need of major investment Councillor Paul Clein

Eventually it is planned the centre will feature a new zip wire, climbing towers with scramble nets, high and low rope adventure activities, abseiling and an underground cave complex.

A lake for sailing, canoeing and rafting is also pencilled in.

The initial redevelopment is being funded by �780,000 of New Opportunities Fund lottery money and a �280,000 contribution from Liverpool Council.

Colomendy has remained largely unchanged since it opened in 1939 although around 350,000 children have visited the centre since it was taken over by Liverpool Council.

Councillor Paul Clein, executive board member for children's services, said: "Ask any child who has been to Colomendy what they thought of the place and they'd tell you it was the experience of a lifetime.

Colomendy has remained largely unchanged since it opened in 1939

"However, the site has seen better days and is in need of major investment to make it more attractive to the modern needs of today's youngsters."

Colin Hilton, executive director for children's services, said their aim was to transform Colomendy into one of Europe's premier outdoor activity centres.

He added: "Modern residential and adventure facilities befitting the 21st Century will provide our children with an opportunity to develop as self-aware, confident, healthy youngsters in a safe and secure environment."

The operator chosen to take over the running of the centre already operates a number of centres across the UK.

Substantial discounts will be offered to schools in Liverpool to use the revamped centre.

Surplus places will be used by schools from other areas and youngsters from abroad may also visit Comendy.

Planning permission has already been granted. A detailed environmental impact assessment was carried out to make sure the revamp will not disturb wildlife at the centre.