17 April 2019

The Department of Conservation (DOC) has moved its visitor centre services ahead of a planned upgrade to the Arthur’s Pass National Park Visitor Centre later this year.

The temporary visitor centre is located just up the road next to Arthur’s Pass Motel and Lodge in the national park village.

Work will start later this year on the planned upgrade of the Arthur’s Pass National Park Visitor Centre to bring it up to 100% of the National Building Standards.

“The upgraded visitor centre will be an exciting opportunity to help visitors and the local community to connect with conservation,” says DOC Operations Manager, Kingsley Timpson.

DOC has been planning a full upgrade of the building for some time. Following the 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquakes, engineers certified the building as safe for public and staff use but with some areas closed to access.

“Interim improvements were made to the building at the time with isolation walls added and new beams inserted to ensure staff and visitors were safe.

“Recent reassessments of the alterations in the building have led us to decide to close it early and operate from a new temporary site to ensure there is no risk to visitors or staff.”

1.4 million visitors travel through State Highway 73 every year with 140,000 of them calling into the Arthur’s Pass National Park Visitor Centre.

“The planned upgrade ensures the visitor centre will continue to be a valuable resource for the region,” says Kingsley Timpson.

DOC’s visitor centre is open 8.30am to 4.30pm seven days a week.

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