New £1.2m complex including conferencing facilities and ‘baboon team-building’ to open at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

The award-winning Yorkshire Wildlife Park yesterday unveiled a new £1.2m corporate complex, at a a launch event attended by Andrew McKenna, Head of Doncaster Chamber, Councillor Bob Johnson, Julie Wilson, Head of Business Commerce and Tourism for Doncaster and Chloe Wood , Marketing Sheffield.

The new complex houses two new conferencing suites. The Outlook Suite and The Gallery Suite. The building, called The Monkey Play House, will also feature public areas including a café and 600sqft adventure playground.

The larger of the two event spaces, The Outlook Suite, (catering for up to 140 delegates) boasts extraordinary views of the Park and what could claim to be Yorkshire’s best break-out spaces. Delegates will have the opportunity to watch endangered Amur Tigers Vladimir and Sayan in their natural habitat, as well as a pride of lions rescued from a neglected zoo in Romania, who now live in the park’s extensive reserve fringed by lakes and waterfalls.

The smaller Gallery Suite provides break-out and catering space, with a view of the baboon enclosure, and both spaces include state of the art AV systems, along with free wifi and free parking. The Park is also a great day to night venue, offering two unforgettable outdoor spaces.

Cheryl Williams, Managing Director of Yorkshire Wildlife Park, comments:

“Here at Yorkshire Wildlife Park we are incredibly lucky to have such an amazing setting. Our hope is that our dedicated, state of the art conferencing facilities will attract clients from speciailised sectors, as well as corporate clients as a whole. Unique venues also encourage greater delegate attendance which is great for conference organisers. Where else can you hold your meeting with a view over African Plains, take part in team building next door to a troop of baboons or host a drinks reception in Caramba Gardens, Yorkshire’s very own corner of South America? We hope to encourage businesses to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and closer to the wild than ever before.”

The new complex backs onto a glass viewing window which overlooks the Park’s latest residents ““ a troop of seventeen baboons ““ who can be seen leaping and climbing around their outdoor enclosure. This intriguing display can also be viewed from the first floor Gallery Suite.
The park’s experienced animal rangers and dedicated hospitality managers are happy to work alongside event facilitators to create bespoke team building experiences, ensuring delegates make the most of the Park’s unique setting and diverse residents.

Cheryl Williams, Managing Director of Yorkshire Wildlife Park, comments:

“The baboons are able to offer a truly unique team building experience to delegates ““ we are currently in training our latest residents to master rope-activated games that allow them to interact with visitors through tugs of war or spinning wheels! Delegates will be able to play communication games that include learning to work together with the baboons and helping them to solve puzzles, all of which creates a stimulating and positive environment.”

A stone’s throw from the new complex, flanked by tropical plants and flamed African torches, is the Park’s large Courtyard space can be transformed into your very own outdoor dining venue. Looking for something extra special? Nestled in the middle of the park is the stunning Caramba Gardens, a tiny slice of South America in rural Yorkshire – this fantastic space is the perfect location for al fresco dining, from Champagne receptions to summer BBQs.

Voted Yorkshire’s Most Magnificent Attraction 2012, Yorkshire Wildlife Park is Yorkshire’s fastest growing tourist attraction. Welcoming 1 million visitors through the door since its opening five years ago, the Park is an innovative walkthrough experience providing unrivalled access to some of the most amazing and endangered animals in the world. Lion Country is home to the pride of lions rescued from a run-down zoo in Romania, who now live in the extensive reserve with its lake and waterfalls. Endangered Amur Tigers Vladimir and Sayan roam in Land of the Tiger. Three Amur Leopards, the most endangered big cat on the planet, live in Leopard Heights ““ a spectacular designed enclosure with an 8 metre tall viewing tower and 10-metre long glass viewing window.

For conferencing enquiries please contact Mike Bennett, m.bennett@yorkshirewildlifepark.com or 01302 535057.
For more information go to www.yorkshirewildlifepark.com