Dudley Zoo to take on Hippodrome site
Dudley Zoo today revealed multi-million pound plans for a new education and conference centre on the site of the former Dudley Hippodrome.
It comes as campaigners, who have battled to re-open the theatre, were given hope that some of their ideas could be used at other venues in the borough.
Peter Suddock, the zoo's chief executive, said today the new attraction would incorporate a geology centre with access to the limestone Stores Cavern beneath the zoo site.
It would help highlight the Castle Hill's unique history as part of a prehistoric seabed, educating visitors on creatures called the trilobite, known as the Dudley Bug.
Major £10 million plans for Castle Hill are already under way with a new visitor entrance in the pipeline to transform Dudley Zoo to help link it better with the Black Country Living Museum and Dudley Canal Trust.
Mr Suddock today revealed a European funding bid for the new centre would be submitted next year with a hope that work would get underway in 2015/16 and be integrated into the Castle Hill programme.
He said: "It's all come at a great time – we will be able to incorporate the plans into our new entrance and car park and the new centre will be a natural addition to the development."
Dudley Council leader Councillor David Sparks today said the council was committed to working with the Friends of Dudley Hippodrome group to accommodate some of their proposals, such as theatre workshops, at other venues.
A planning application to demolish the Hippodrome is expected soon.
