On Tuesday, January 30, Church Spokesman Daniel Woodruff made the following announcement about changes to Church visitors' centers around the world:
Church leaders have announced a change in operations to three visitors' centers around the world.
The New Zealand Temple Visitors' Center will close in July 2018 (at the same time as the New Zealand Temple) for extensive renovations. Its function will merge with the new Church History Centre and Museum in Hamilton, New Zealand.
The Park City Family Tree Center will close January 31. It was originally opened in conjunction with the 2002 Winter Olympics. Those wishing to research their ancestry can continue to do so at the multiple family history centers in the Salt Lake City area.
Finally, as of December 31, 2017, the London Temple Visitors' Centre is now open as a waiting area for non-temple patrons but no longer serves as a traditional visitors' center. The Hyde Park Chapel Visitors' Centre will continue to welcome guests in the London area. These decisions have been made after considering the best use of the Church's resources as well as the needs and demands of each area.