Yorkshire Wildlife Park has erected a Clubhouse, made by Albion Canvas Co in their Somerset factory, to provide a flexible food court during the peak season and host corporate and function business during the rest of year.
The main 12 metre x 24 metre structure, with an overall height of 5 metres, has been made using a clearspan (ie no central pole) aluminium frame covered in canvas which is produced in Scotland. The sand and green colours, with clear plastic sides which can be opened, help the Clubhouse blend seamlessly into the landscape.
It has been designed with integrated sections providing space for a holding kitchen and serving equipment at the back and a porch on the front. The next extension, currently under discussion, may be an extended canopy which will offer shelter from sun or rain for additional al fresco seating.
Due to the nature of the structure, Yorkshire Wildlife did not need planning permission. The Clubhouse is secured to a concrete base with 300 bolts and took a team from Albion Canvas Co just four days to construct. The cost, excluding the base but including erection, was £70,000.
Commenting on the new structure, Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Commercial Director, Mike Bennett said: “After research on the internet we asked three companies to quote.
"Albion won because their structure provided the most flexibility and appropriate style, as well as offering the best operational solution. We had considered a more traditional structure but in keeping with the Park’s development plan over the next 3 to 5 years a temporary/permanent building offered more flexibility and was a sounder financial decision.”
Albion Canvas Co developed the Tsavo Clubhouse as an extension of their most popular Safari Tent. It is available in 6m spans to any length in 3m bays.
The concept grew out of talking to customers who wanted a unique design for festivals, weddings, cafes and bars, with a clear span structure, rather than traditional marquees with centre poles, but with a more rustic look.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in April 2009 aiming to become a dynamic conservation centre, working with communities at home and around the world to help save habitats and wildlife, and to provide visitors with a unique experience.
Giraffes are the latest animals to be joining YWP to live in a £350,000 state-of-the-art enclosure. The Giraffe enclosure follows the famous Leopard Heights, the world’s largest and most spectacular leopard enclosure.