Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Drumpellier is awarded gateway role
Centre redevelopment
Drumpellier Country Park visitor centre is to be redeveloped as a gateway to the Seven Lochs Wetland Park.
The facility at the Coatbridge park will be extended to create a new viewing area over the loch, with displays telling the story of the park and the Seven Lochs project.
Additional car parking and information points around the park are also being developed.
The new centre will support a wide ranging programme of heritage learning and engagement activities.
The Seven Lochs Wetland Park is a new heritage and nature park spanning the Glasgow City and North Lanarkshire Council boundary between Easterhouse, Coatbridge and Stepps.
At over 16 square km, it is the largest urban nature park in Scotland.
As part of the Seven Lochs Wetland Park, the crannog themed play area at Drumpellier was opened last year and a series of events continue to be held, in partnership with the Scottish Crannog Centre.
North Lanarkshire Council has appointed a multi- disciplinary design team, led by Doig+Smith and architects Holmes Miller, to develop the original visitor centre proposals into a final design, undertake all necessary surveys, develop a planning application and plan the construction works.
“This is an exciting development for Drumpellier Country Park, the next stage in the creation of a Gateway to the Seven Lochs Wetland Park,” said Councillor Michael McPake, convenor of the infrastructure committee.
“The new visitor facilities will reveal the stories of the people who have lived in and around the park over many centuries, and the secret lives of the wildlife that calls the area home.
“We hope the Seven Lochs will be a great place for people to visit and enjoy our heritage and nature.”
Construction is expected to start on the visitor centre in the autumn; temporary facilities will be available at the park during the construction work.
The programme of work required to develop the Seven Lochs Wetland Park is supported by a grant of £4.5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, along with funding from Seven Lochs Partnership members and range of other funders.
This is an exciting development for Drumpellier