New Gateway Centre opened by David Bellamy (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

New Gateway Centre opened by David Bellamy

DAVID Bellamy was on top form when he opened the new Cotswold Water Park Gateway Centre on Tuesday.

The enthusiastic wildlife professor is patron of the Cotswold Water Park Society (CWPS), and told everyone at the event to give a big cheer for those who had been involved in the project.

The new £2 million centre, includes a cafe/restaurant, and will provide a year round networked tourist information centre for the Water Park and the Upper Thames area.

It is built of green oak, and heated and cooled by the energy of the lake and solar power from the largest photo-voltaic roof in the region.

The toilets are flushed using rainwater.

The centre, which will provide more than 25 jobs, has been a long-term goal of the Water Park since its creation in 1969.

David Bellamy, OBE, said: "The Cotswold Water Park Gateway Centre provides a centre piece to a miraculous project that has witnessed nature's incredible ability to heal the scars left by gravel extraction.

"This stage of the Cotswold Water Park development provides a focal point to increase awareness of the water park as an internationally recognised wildlife reserve and leisure destination."

Councillors and local businesses all attended the event, and former chief executive Roger Brown, who recently had to step down on medical grounds, received special thanks.

Acting chief executive of the CWPS Simon Pickering said: "Our vision is to create a sustainable tourist destination that will incorporate wildlife leisure and relaxation, offering visitors from the UK and abroad a unique opportunity to experience all that the Cotswold Water Park and its surrounding villages have to offer.

"The creation of the new Gateway Centre is the next step towards our goal."

Information officers on site will be able to answer any questions about biodiversity and sustainable development, while an exhibition area in the centre will chart the development of the CWP from the Jurassic era to present day.

Local holiday company, Orion Holidays, will have an office on the first floor of the centre.

The centre is next to the new Cotswold Outdoor shop, and is located off the A419 at the entrance to the Water Park.