THE mulit-million pound visitor centre at a Torfaen reservoir has celebrated its first year since officially opening, with almost 116,000 people using the facility.

The visitor and watersports centre at the Llandegfedd reservoir cost £2.5million and had its official opening in May last year. The facility is owned and operated by Welsh Water.

In total, over 160,000 people have visited the site in the past 12 months since it opened to the public in April 2015.

“The site has proved very popular in its first year,” said a Welsh Water spokeswoman.

“The watersports centre offers a great variety of land and water-based activities including team-building, windsurfing, dinghy sailing, stand-up paddle-boarding, canoeing, kayaking, raft building – all with full equipment hire.

“The reservoir offers one of the best sailing experiences Wales has to offer and provides anglers with a top venue for still water fly fishing.”

The reservoir is used regularly by the Llandegfedd Sailing Club and Torfaen Sea Cadets, who hold club events and races at the site.

The spokeswoman added: “The Welsh Salmon and Trout Angling Association hold team selection trials at the reservoir and intend to host the men’s senior UK Home International in September with additional international events scheduled for 2017.”

This weekend, Llandegfedd will host a triathlon event the UK Mitsubishi SUP Bike Run event on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 with 200 competitors expecting to take part on the Sunday.

“Looking ahead, Welsh Water intends to improve the promotion of events and activities on the site through local advertising, social media and the website,” added the spokeswoman.

“We also intend to engage local schools to make them aware of the facilities on offer at Llandegfedd.

“A volunteer ranger group is being developed to assist staff with conservation related management and we will be further promoting the picturesque walking routes around the reservoir as well as the winter routes. Walkers can base themselves at the Visitor Centre while exploring the local countryside.”