THATCHAM'S Nature Discovery Centre has finally opened its doors - nearly a year after it was originally supposed to.
The project was due to open last summer but just one day before the grand opening the building was submerged in the severe floods that swept across the region.
Now, a year and a big clean up operation later the ribbon has been cut and the doors are now open.
And people were lining up to heap praise on the facility.
Keith Chopping, chairman of West Berkshire Council, said the council was very proud of the discovery centre and its achievements over the last decade.
David Danieli, community relations manager at Vodafone, which provided £650,000 funding to the project, added: "I think this venue opens up a whole realm of possibilities.
"It is an exceptional attraction for visitors from near and far.
“Our investment in the refurbished Nature Discovery Centre will greatly enhance the environmental experience for the community of West Berkshire and its visitors.
"The centre is a great educational asset and resource with an increased potential for wildlife and nature conservation.”
The discovery centre sits on the banks of the lakes at the Thatcham reedbed reserve.
Peter Kindersley, of Sheepdrove Organic Farm, also gave a short address to help celebrate the new centre, which now includes a new layout of exhibitions on the local environment, a learning studio for school children and visitors over looking the lake and a café offering organic produce.
Mr Kindersley said: “This is a great project and I am delighted to be able to speak at the official opening and support the achievements of both the council and Vodafone in creating such an informative and exciting centre for nature conservation and sustainability issues.”
The centre also includes energy conservation features promoting an awareness of sustainability in managing buildings and homes, with its ‘living roof’, solar panels and rainwater harvesting system. The building is heated by a bio-mass boiler fuelled by wood pellets made from compressed saw dust.
Mr Chopping added: “The centre is an excellent facility for children and families to experience nature and wildlife with ‘hands on’ exhibitions and a programme of events and activities on nature conservation all year round. It encourages people to discover and learn more about the considerable diversity of nature on their very own doorstep.”
To find out more about upcoming events and community facilities at the Discovery Centre you can phone 01635 874381.