Menu
11/01/2008
New Visitor Centre For Belfast Zoo
Construction has begun on a new, £600,000 state of the art visitor centre at Belfast Zoo.
The new entrance pavilion will include a new souvenir shop, pay-booths and payment systems, a covered walkway for wet weather shelter and a tourist exhibition space focussing on native and non-native wildlife.
The entrance will include high level roofing that optimises natural light, interpretive panels detailing current zoo events and promotions, multi media presentations and exhibition space to inform tourists of the Zoo and its history in Belfast.
A special exhibition space will focus on the Zoo`s contribution to wildlife and will feature educational information from other organisations connected with wildlife protection.
The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has grant-aided the redevelopment plans to the tune of £250,000, through the Tourism Development Scheme.
An additional £350,000 has come from Belfast City Council to allow the Zoo to develop an entrance capable of receiving the increasing numbers of visitors. Visitor levels to the Zoo have increased by 50 per cent since 2004, to a record of 295,000 people in 2007.
Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of The Northern Ireland Tourist Board said: "The Tourism Development Scheme offers financial assistance to local tourism capital projects and presents a unique opportunity for local businesses to improve their tourism offering and provide a quality visitor experience.
"We are delighted to see that Belfast Zoo has taken advantage of this scheme and I look forward to seeing the new entrance pavilion, which will improve an already popular visitor attraction."
Mark Challis, Zoo Manager, said: "The new development will allow us to create a first class impression for our visitors. We are experiencing the highest number of visitors to the Zoo ever and the new visitor centre will provide our customers with a pleasant beginning to an enjoyable day in the Zoo."
The new building was designed by Consarc and will be completed by August.
Belfast Zoo is owned and operated by Belfast City Council and proud to be the only publicly owned Zoo in the UK. Admission prices to the Zoo continue to be the most reasonable in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Belfast Zoo is a proactive member of various national and international zoo associations including the British and Irish Association for Zoos and Aquarium (BIAZA), European Association of Zoos and Aquarium, (EAZA), World Association of Zoos and Aquarium (WAZA).
In 2007, the Zoo won three awards recognising it as best visitor attraction in Northern Ireland.
(GK)
The new entrance pavilion will include a new souvenir shop, pay-booths and payment systems, a covered walkway for wet weather shelter and a tourist exhibition space focussing on native and non-native wildlife.
The entrance will include high level roofing that optimises natural light, interpretive panels detailing current zoo events and promotions, multi media presentations and exhibition space to inform tourists of the Zoo and its history in Belfast.
A special exhibition space will focus on the Zoo`s contribution to wildlife and will feature educational information from other organisations connected with wildlife protection.
The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has grant-aided the redevelopment plans to the tune of £250,000, through the Tourism Development Scheme.
An additional £350,000 has come from Belfast City Council to allow the Zoo to develop an entrance capable of receiving the increasing numbers of visitors. Visitor levels to the Zoo have increased by 50 per cent since 2004, to a record of 295,000 people in 2007.
Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of The Northern Ireland Tourist Board said: "The Tourism Development Scheme offers financial assistance to local tourism capital projects and presents a unique opportunity for local businesses to improve their tourism offering and provide a quality visitor experience.
"We are delighted to see that Belfast Zoo has taken advantage of this scheme and I look forward to seeing the new entrance pavilion, which will improve an already popular visitor attraction."
Mark Challis, Zoo Manager, said: "The new development will allow us to create a first class impression for our visitors. We are experiencing the highest number of visitors to the Zoo ever and the new visitor centre will provide our customers with a pleasant beginning to an enjoyable day in the Zoo."
The new building was designed by Consarc and will be completed by August.
Belfast Zoo is owned and operated by Belfast City Council and proud to be the only publicly owned Zoo in the UK. Admission prices to the Zoo continue to be the most reasonable in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Belfast Zoo is a proactive member of various national and international zoo associations including the British and Irish Association for Zoos and Aquarium (BIAZA), European Association of Zoos and Aquarium, (EAZA), World Association of Zoos and Aquarium (WAZA).
In 2007, the Zoo won three awards recognising it as best visitor attraction in Northern Ireland.
(GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Alliance Calls For 'Immediate And Decisive' Action On Child Hunger The Alliance Party has called for "immediate and decisive" action to address the growing crisis of child hunger in Northern Ireland.
Other News In Brief
Alliance Calls For 'Immediate And Decisive' Action On Child Hunger The Alliance Party has called for "immediate and decisive" action to address the growing crisis of child hunger in Northern Ireland.
29 May 2024
Visit Belfast Launches New Three-Year City Tourism Strategy
A new three-year tourism plan to strengthen and elevate the appeal of Belfast's vibrant neighbourhoods to drive new growth and fresh exploration has been launched by Visit Belfast.
Visit Belfast Launches New Three-Year City Tourism Strategy
A new three-year tourism plan to strengthen and elevate the appeal of Belfast's vibrant neighbourhoods to drive new growth and fresh exploration has been launched by Visit Belfast.
23 November 2023
Titanic Visitor Centre Wins Prestigious Business Award
Titanic Visitor Centre has been awarded the Special Tourism Impact Award by leading business group, Asia Matters, at an event in Dublin.
Titanic Visitor Centre Wins Prestigious Business Award
Titanic Visitor Centre has been awarded the Special Tourism Impact Award by leading business group, Asia Matters, at an event in Dublin.
27 August 2001
Belfast Zoo reopens farm area
Belfast Zoo has reopened the rare breeds farm area for the bank holiday weekend after a prolonged period of closure. The zoo farm area, particularly popular with younger visitors, has been closed as part of the precautions taken at the zoo since the foot-and-mouth outbreak in February.
Belfast Zoo reopens farm area
Belfast Zoo has reopened the rare breeds farm area for the bank holiday weekend after a prolonged period of closure. The zoo farm area, particularly popular with younger visitors, has been closed as part of the precautions taken at the zoo since the foot-and-mouth outbreak in February.
15 February 2006
Belfast Zoo to receive award
Belfast Zoo, in partnership with Queen's University's Scholl of Psychology, has today received a prestigious ward from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ for ‘Best Research Project’. This is the highest award given by the BIAZA, and was given for the innovative research on ‘Auditory Enrichment for Zoo-housed Gorillas’.
Belfast Zoo to receive award
Belfast Zoo, in partnership with Queen's University's Scholl of Psychology, has today received a prestigious ward from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ for ‘Best Research Project’. This is the highest award given by the BIAZA, and was given for the innovative research on ‘Auditory Enrichment for Zoo-housed Gorillas’.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Frequent, often heavy showers of rain, sleet and snow will affect most parts this evening and overnight, but are likely to be most frequent across the northeast. Minimum temperature -1 °C.
