Vision of Llandegfedd Reservoir unveiled (From South Wales Argus)

Vision of Llandegfedd Reservoir unveiled

2:30pm Sunday 13th January 2013 in Gwent news

THESE images show what new visitor and watersports centres at Llandegfedd Reservoir may look like, following a “significant” investment from Welsh Water.

The company is ploughing ahead with its plans at the site, after permission was granted by Monmouthshire council.

Both hope to improve the facilities watersports, fishing and walking for more than 150,000 people who visit each year.

Contractors for the project are currently being appointed as Welsh Water plans to get the centres built this year to open in 2014.

There is also hope that two miles of footpaths around the reservoir can be opened up at the 434 acre site, for bird and bat watching walks, along with star gazing. The visitor centre, designed by award winning architects, will be a base for Welsh Water’s site rangers.

It will have a shop, meeting room, staff kitchen and public toilets to replace the old portacabin. The ground floor will provide a hub for anglers and a venue for training and competition.

On the first floor a stylish cafe and display area accessible by a new footpath from the car park are planned.

The watersports centre will comprise showers and changing rooms for people involved in wind-surfing, and sailing, along with a hire shop. Schools and colleges will be able to attend for canoeing and sailing, while it is also set to benefit Llandegfedd Sailing Club and Gwent Adventures.

Provision of wheelchair compatible sailing facilities are being investigated, while some seasonal jobs will be created.

Richard Poole, Welsh Water’s spokesman for the project, said: “There are already some facilities on site, but they are in temporary, prefabricated buildings and desperately need replacing.

“Llandegfedd Reservoir has long been a very important leisure amenity and we wish to ensure that it has top quality facilities for visitors to enjoy a wide range of sporting and educational activities.”

The reservoir is due to close between November and March each year to let visiting wildfowl overwinter in peace, as part of the management plan.