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.

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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)