A funding allocation of €200,000 for Fota Wildlife Park has been welcomed by Cork East Fine Gael TD, David Stanton. The funding will be used to develop a new visitor attraction and conservation centre in the park, including an indoor viewing and entertainment area.
“I am pleased that the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD has given sanction to South and East Cork Area Development (SECAD) to allocate €200,000 to Fota Wildlife Park. In addition to the new indoor area, the funding will be used to aid the conservation work and provide learning opportunities to visitors to the park.
The allocation is being made under the Encouragement of Tourism Activities measure of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 and will provide €200,000 towards the estimated total project cost of €627,000. The project will now return to the SECAD Board for final approval.
“This is a considerable investment in Fota Wildlife Park which is already a very popular tourist attraction. The addition of indoor facilities will encourage more visitors to visit the park outside the main summer season. Attracting more visitors in the winter months should benefit local hotels and other tourism and leisure facilities and in turn boost the local economy in the East Cork area”, said Deputy Stanton.