The renovations to Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre are progressing well and the Centre will be reopening to visitors on Saturday 3rd March 2012.

Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre is currently being revitalised with improvements to the café, including the creation of an outdoor covered seating area, and other developments within the building itself. The improvements are part of Cognation, mtb trails South Wales; a major investment into mountain biking and the tourism industry throughout the region.

The Cognation project is a partnership project between Neath Port Talbot CBC, Forestry Commission Wales, Caerphilly CBC and Merthyr Tydfil CBC and is part-funded by the EU’s Convergence European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government with match funding coming from the Welsh Government and partner organisations.

In order that the renovations can be completed as quickly as possible, the Centre itself is temporarily closed. However, during the closure, a café is operating in the classrooms behind the Visitor Centre. The car park, toilets and showers are unaffected by the works and a ranger and receptionist is on duty on the site. The South Wales Miners’ Museum also remains open as usual.

Cllr Ali Thomas, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council stated ‘The renovations to the Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre will result in great improvements to one of Neath Port Talbot’s main tourist attractions. We are pleased that we are able to maintain a service for our visitors during the renovation work and look forward to welcoming visitors to a new look Centre in the Spring.’

For visitor information during the closures please contact the Tourist Information Centre on 01639 636674.