Environment Agency Wales
Assignment:
Visitor/Education Centre Tryweryn Salmon Hatchery Nr. Bala North Wales
Background:
The Environment Agency of Wales (EAW) identified an opportunity to develop a new Salmon Hatchery to increase the understanding of, and interest in the process of salmon rearing (and potentially other fish/river species). The Leisure Consultancy in association with ARUP, were engaged by EAW to prepare an evidence base to underpin the potential opportunity to develop a visitor/education centre adjacent to the planned development of a Salmon Hatchery at Tryweryn, Bala, North Wales.
The development was intended to replace the existing EAW hatcheries at Mawddach and Maerdy creating cost savings via greater efficiency. In parallel with this feasibility study ARUP carried out an associated technical appraisal and preliminary design.
The Consultancy Team considered the market for a visitor/education centre focusing on the existing education and tourism/heritage related provision within the Bala area. Our analysis was set within the policy and strategic context of the local area and North Wales. We also undertook focused consultation with key stakeholders together with a questionnaire survey of local primary schools where prizes were awarded for taking part.