Seven Ponds Green Building Project Energy Conscious
The new green-construction project edges closer to completion. The grand opening is scheduled for this fall, but more work is needed.
The building project at Seven Ponds Nature Center is now in its final stages. This $1.8 million project called for renovation of the center's existing building, the construction of a large addition, and creation of a new parking lot. Most of the work has now been completed, providing additional classroom space, a new reception area, new restrooms, additional offices, an expanded exhibit area, and adequate parking for the center's many visitors. The Four County Community Foundation helped provide support for this large project with $30,000 in grants, plus an additional $15,000 from the Sillers Family Charitable Fund.
The building project includes a variety of green construction elements, reflecting the center's desire to set a good example in energy conservation, and to provide information on this important topic. The new facility features geothermal heating and cooling, high levels of insulation, energy efficient lighting, window quilts, landscaping with native plants, and more.
The project is winding down, with renovation of a small classroom, planting of trees and shrubs, placement of signs, and creation of additional exhibits to be completed for the finishing touches. In the meantime, the center continues to raise funds for the project. To date, Seven Ponds has gifts and pledges totaling $1,720,000 toward the $1.8 million goal. The center would like to raise the remaining $80,000 in time for a grand opening this fall.
