Project Description:
BREAKING NEWS *Upton Country Park wins GOLD award for Welcome Centre*
As part of Upton Country Park’s £1.9 million National Lottery Heritage Fund award, Chartered Builders, Greendale Construction Limited was awarded the contract for the iconic new Upton Country Park Welcome Centre, as part of the park’s Discovery Project.
Starting in January 2022, the 39 week project saw Greendale replacing the existing toilet block – located in the main car park – with an £876,000 modern new Welcome Centre facility which has now created a gateway to the Country Park, and a real sense of arrival. It is now a place for people to meet, plan their visit, and uncover the fascinating history of the former Upton estate – as well as discover all the events planned!
The Welcome Centre will also host vital facilities such as toilets and coffee machines, as well as the chance to pick up souvenirs.
Located in the main carpark, the stunning superstructure has been built using local Purbeck stone walling, thanks to Lovell Stone Group with laser cut wording on dressed stone signage, and contrasting sweet chestnut cladding on the walls and overhanging soffits.
The Welcome Centre boasts a bio-diverse living meadow roof, planted up with 34 species of wildflowers. A powder-coated, aluminium metal cladding fascia compliments the main atrium area, with the building benefitting from non-slip porcelain tiles and underfloor heating, partly fuelled by an air source heat pump. Low energy LED lighting has been installed throughout the building.
Three bug hotels have been created and framed in dressed stone, located in the Purbeck walling, with a number of swallow nest cups and bat boxes installed to encourage even more nature into the park and around the building. The Welcome Centre has new unisex toilet facilities, a baby area and accessible WC. Pet owners will be glad to see the dog wash has been re-instated, so no more muddy paws in the car after your walk.
A secure staff area and gift / display area has been formed which can be closed off by automatic roller security shutters. The doors into the Welcome Centre are on automatic movement sensors. Externally, the new perimeter courtyard has coloured Tarmac, with bollards made with oak from the estate. A Purbeck stone slab area of 5m x 2m has been laid for future interpretation.
The Welcome Centre has been given a BREEAM rating of very good. The sustainability framework is underpinned by credible science, allowing the assessment process to identify valuable insights on the asset’s performance. The internationally recognised and third-party certification, BREEAM, provides assurance and validation of the data collated throughout the assessment.
Rob Hooker, Director, Greendale Construction, commented: “We were delighted to be awarded this project as main contractors, and are equally delighted and proud to have delivered this iconic Welcome Centre for BCP Council and Upton Country Park. We enjoyed working with Western Design Architects and BCP Council. The new Welcome Centre creates a real wow factor for visitors, and provides brilliant information and facilities for the users of the park. We wish Roger and his team every success with the new building and can’t wait to see the wildflower meadow on the roof in full bloom this coming spring!”
Councillor Mark Anderson, Portfolio Holder for Environment & Place at BCP Council, said: “The Discovery Project continues to deliver significant improvements across the Park, benefiting our visitors, volunteers, and local schools. The opening of the Upton Country Park Welcome Centre is a significant milestone for the Project that has been made possible by funding from the The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund, BCP Council and the Friends of Upton Country Park. Construction of the centre was delivered by Greendale Construction Ltd, and contents overseen by Imagemakers. Visitors will now be able to learn more about the history of the estate, alongside the wonderful range of events, activities and wildlife that the park continues to support today.”
Client: BCP Council
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Project Management and PQS Services: BCP Facilities
Architects: Western Design Architects
Structural Engineers: Thorpe Engineering Consultants
M&E Consultants: Worldwise
Awards & Recoginition
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