The multi-million pound Glentress Peel centre, planned to open next spring, is being developed to demonstrate good practice in the use of timber, where possible using locally-grown material.

Timber trusses have been supplied by NorBuild Timber Fabrication and Fine Carpentry Ltd using Douglas fir grown in Glentress Forest. The species is also being used for all decking and cladding.

Glentress Peel will consist of four buildings – the orientation building (a meeting place and osprey viewing), café, bike shop and offices to house rangers and offer business and training facilities.

Other sustainable features of the development include a rainwater collection facility from the café roof which will be recycled for the bike wash and a wood fuel boiler is to be installed to provide hot water and heat for all of the buildings.

“Already over 300,000 people visit Glentress each year and we expect that figure to rise – the new stylish buildings will help meet that demand,” said environment minister Roseanna Cunningham.

Gaia Architects have designed the project, with Kingshaw Associates providing structural engineering. McLaughlin and Harvey Ltd is the build contractor using Cowan Construction as sub contractors for timber aspects.

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