ENVIRONMENTAl and recreational charity South West Lakes Trust has won £1.45-million funding to build a new visitors' centre at Roadford Lake.
'Lakeside', the new multi-purpose visitors' centre, will include major improvements to the existing restaurant, a community resource room and a suite of function rooms, offering conference and function facilities in an unrivalled setting.
Funding for the project came from the South West Regional Development Agency, Heritage Lottery Funding, Government Office South West, West Devon Borough Council, South West Water, South West Lakes Trust, SW Forest and Exeter University.
Trust director, Evelyn Stacey, said; 'Lakeside is the largest project by an environmental charity in the region. We are delighted that we have secured this funding.
'As well as attracting up to 90,000 additional visits a year, creating seven to eight full-time jobs and safeguarding ten, this project will also provide training for 140 people and many more opportunities for local businesses servicing the needs of visitors to the area.
'This is the beginning of a wider programme to provide first class facilities at the lake for both local people and visitors.'
Malcolm Bell of South West Tourism said: 'Roadford Lake is a major jewel in the South West's crown. It plays a key strategic role, providing a high quality attraction for visitors to the countryside and watersports enthusiasts.
'This project is a fine example of rural regeneration at its best and the trust is to be commended on its dynamic vision. Its programme for further improvements at the Lake is exciting and deserves to be supported.'
John Barkham, community facilitator for the South West Regional Development Agency, which has committed £224,396 to the project, said: 'The South West's natural environment is one of its greatest assets so I'm delighted that we were able to help fund Lakeside, which is a great example of a project that shows how protecting the environment and improving the economy can go hand in hand.'