New-look Plantasia to Open in Time for Easter Half Term
Plantasia is designed for families with children aged under 10, schools and groups and had been closed recently due to a massive investment has been revamping it into an innovative and stimulating venue focusing on rainforest life.
This popular Swansea attraction, Plantasia received a £1.1m investment from Swansea City Council in December after a thorough review of future options for running and retaining Plantasia.
Swansea Council is revitalising the unique plant and animal attraction by developing a new partnership with specialist leisure and attractions operator Parkwood Leisure.
Parkwood will manage the facility on a 15-year contract and council staff there have now become Parkwood employees on equivalent terms and conditions, with new roles and opportunities being created for staff.
The eye-catching one-off glasshouse in Parc Tawe, is undergoing a dramatic transformation and is due to reopen in time for the Easter School Holidays on Saturday 13th April.
Exotic New Residents Set to Greet Plantasia Visitors
When Plantasia relaunches on Saturday 13th April with a dynamic new rain forest theme you will be able to get up close and personal with a range of exciting new residents, with exhibits such as spectacled caiman crocodiles and red-bellied piranhas.
Adult crocodiles are known to have the strongest bite ever measured; carnivorous piranha thrive thanks to their speedy powerful jaws and super-sharp teeth.
Nearby, a crawl-tunnel leads to a ground-level viewing bubble which takes the visitor into the heart of meerkat country, with highest standards of animal care helping them become firm favourites at Plantasia
From the plant world there are huge prickly cacti, towering palms, lemon trees that can live for up to 100 years and a human-sized model of an insect-devouring venus flytrap.
Swansea Council and Parkwood Leisure
Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “We want to revitalise Plantasia, offering a must-see experience that is fun, high-quality, entertaining and educational.
“I suspect that Plantasia’s incredible animals will be the stars of the show for many – but there’s a lot more to be excited about as well. It will be a must-see immersive experience that is fun, high-quality, entertaining and educational.
“New features will include rope bridges, a tree hut, an interactive waterfall, trails, immersive audio and interactive effects. There’ll be an improved café.
“Our partnership with Parkwood – an established and respected specialist operator – will mean a secure future for the facility and new opportunities for the thousands who visit Plantasia.
“It will mean lower costs for the council over the term of the contract; this is crucial as our central government funding has decreased substantially.
“I’m confident that Parkwood and their experienced creative design partners, Theme 3 will deliver a great experience for customers on our behalf; our partnership will ensure they give the people of Swansea what they want and need. We intend to deliver the best outcomes for us all.”
Colleen Tumelty, Regional Director of Parkwood, said: “The adventure starts here for the people of Swansea and visitors to the destination.
“We’re hoping to attract more than 50,000 visitors a year. Our aim is to let them grow their imagination by offering a thoroughly engaging and immersive experience in a rainforest in the middle of the city.
“We are working hard with the council to give the people of Swansea the best Plantasia offer we can.
“The new Plantasia has something for everyone including families, schools and groups. Plantasia will also be available for corporate, commercial and business events.
“Parkwood were very encouraged by the council’s commitment to investment in Swansea and this was key to our involvement with Plantasia.
“We are delighted to be working with Swansea Council to deliver an all-weather visitor attraction that will appeal to Swansea residents and visitors.”
Who is Parkwood Leisure and Theme 3?
Parkwood Leisure manage more than 80 facilities on behalf of a wide range of local authorities throughout England and Wales. Parkwood specialises in the development and operation of leisure facilities and visitor attractions on behalf of local authority clients since 1995. Today they are one of the most experienced providers of leisure management in the UK.
Theme 3 is a creative consultancy specialising in the creation, development and management of customer experiences. Theme 3 have designed and built experiences for a range of sectors. Known for their work with Merlin Entertainments, their latest project was the new Bear Grylls Adventure in Birmingham, they’ve also produced experiences for Warwick Castle, Sea Life and others, established in 2014.
