Following the award of National Lottery Heritage Funding in December 2018, Fylde Council is delighted to announce the opening of the new RSPB Fairhaven Lake Visitor Centre. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the new visitor hub run in partnership by the RSPB and Fylde Council will open on Friday 29th April.
The new RSPB Visitor Centre, which was formerly known as the Ribble Discovery Centre will still be home to the RSPB shop, but also includes new interactive information boards that tell the story of Fairhaven’s development from shingle bank to boating lake. The centre will celebrate the areas natural heritage as well as its rich history. The interior has had a full restoration exposing the original vaulted ceiling and heritage features.
Jo Taylor, RSPB Learning and Visitor Experience Officer says “Alongside the improvements to the sea defence wall and promenade at Granny’s Bay this re-development of the buildings, lake and gardens is really making Fairhaven an even better place to visit. We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome people back into the newly refurbished visitor centre and RSPB shop. Our friendly team will be back on hand to help visitors discover more about the incredible wildlife of the Ribble Estuary and exploring Fairhaven Lake. Following the makeover to our shop, there’s going to be plenty of the old favourites in stock such as our popular bird food and binocular ranges along with some exciting new surprises for nature-lovers of all ages.”
This is the first building of the exciting restoration project to be opened. The new watersport centre is due to open later in May along with the restored café in July. This follows the successful excavation of the Japanese garden and landscape works completed over last winter.
Activity Development Officer, Julie Vale says “After years of hard work from the project team, volunteers and stakeholders it is amazing to start to see the projects vision coming to life. We can’t thank our funders, supporters and the local community enough for getting behind the project.”
Supported through the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and National Lottery Community Fund, the project aims to conserve and restore Fairhaven’s heritage buildings and landscape, improve the lake’s infrastructure and water quality, and provide an exciting new programme of events. New information boards will help visitors better understand Fairhaven’s heritage. Other funding bodies to the overall project include Fylde Council, Sport England & Lancashire Environmental Fund.
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