Sandwell Valley bird centre could return from blaze bigger and better

Apr 13 2010 by Matt Lloyd, Birmingham Mail

BOSSES of a Midland bird centre destroyed by fire have promised not to disappoint thousands of school kids booked in to use the gutted facility.

And RSPB chiefs said they would try to make the Sandwell Valley Visitor Centre bigger and better when it re-opens.

The nature reserve building, on Tanhouse Lane, West Bromwich, was torched in a suspected arson attack on March 27.

After the blaze, managers had to find back-up facilities to cater for the 3,000 kids who use the site every year. The RSPB believe they can meet the demand with a temporary facility while plans are made for a permanent replacement although the cost is not yet known.

Louise Pederson, spokeswoman for the charity, said: “We’re in the process of securing temporary facilities and we believe we’ll be able to deliver on all of the bookings we have.

“We hope to have temporary facilities up as soon as possible.”