The site pictured at the very start of the project(Image: G F Tomlinson)

Incredible pictures show how abandoned Nottinghamshire building became £5 million space centre in just over a year

by · NottinghamshireLive

The site is set to welcome 20,000 visitors every year

New pictures show how an abandoned Victorian reservoir has been transformed into a £5 million space centre in just over a year. The Planetarium and Science Discovery Centre is set to inspire a "new generation of scientists and engineers" in Ashfield and beyond as the site opens its doors on Monday (November 25).

The origin of the site lies in the neighbouring Sherwood Observatory, opened by a group of Nottinghamshire ex-miners in 1986. The Mansfield & Sutton Astronomical Society, which runs the facility, set its sight on the neighbouring reservoir which became redundant in the 1970s after having been built in 1886 in response to a cholera outbreak.

The land was purchased by the society in 2014, funds were secured from government in partnership with Ashfield District Council and the £5 million project is now ready to go. The planetarium itself features 59 seats, from which visitors can watch 4K images of space projected onto a giant, 10-metre screen which shrouds the dome-shaped structure.

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There is also an exhibition space in the former underground reservoir itself, based on Coxmoor Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield. Dr Steve Wallace, from the astronomical society, says the site will be truly unique given that nowhere else in the country has a planetarium and then an observatory next door where people can see space with the naked eye.

Councillor Matthew Relf, Executive Lead Member for Growth, Regeneration and Local Planning at Ashfield District Council said: "The completion of the brand new £5 million Planetarium and Science Discovery Centre represents a significant milestone in Ashfield and the broader region that is set to bring benefits that will echo down the generations. Dr Steve Wallace and the Sherwood Observatory team reached for the stars with their plans to build a planetarium and Ashfield District Council worked tirelessly to secure much of the funding to take them there.

"It is a fantastic example of what ambition and partnership working can deliver. These world-class facilities, off Coxmoor Road in Sutton-In-Ashfield will draw in visitor from across the region, inspiring a new generation of scientists and engineers right here in our local area." Below are a selection of photos from contractors G F Tomlinson, who have worked on the project, showing the transformation of the site from start to finish.

Work beginning at the site(Image: G F Tomlinson)
Inside the former reservoir at the start of the project(Image: G F Tomlinson)
The base for the planetarium being created on top of the reservoir(Image: G F Tomlinson)
The planetarium construction continues(Image: G F Tomlinson)
The planetarium beginning to take shape(Image: G F Tomlinson)
The planetarium structure almost complete(Image: G F Tomlinson)
The inside of the planetarium taking shape(Image: G F Tomlinson)
The black cladding in place around the planetarium dome(Image: G F Tomlinson)
The completed Planetarium and Science Discovery Centre(Image: G F Tomlinson)
Inside the former reservoir now following a multi-million pound refurbishment(Image: Joseph Raynor/Reach PLC)
The Planetarium and Science Discovery Centre pictured at night(Image: G F Tomlinson)
Inside the Planetarium at Sherwood Observatory(Image: Joseph Raynor/Reach PLC)
Inside the former reservoir, which will become an exhibition space(Image: Joseph Raynor/Reach PLC)
Inside the Planetarium