TWO RIVERS, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – An expansion project at a popular Lakeshore attraction is officially complete.
The Woodland Dunes Nature Center has been welcoming visitors for more than a year, but a ceremony Thursday afternoon honored those who helped pay for it.
The Jack and Laurel Alyea addition is officially open for business.
“We feel that it’s a safe time to have a grand opening,” said Jim Knickelbine, Woodland Dunes Nature Center Executive Director.
Knickelbine tells FOX 11 the site features a large room where school groups, and other organizations are able to meet.
“We have a better kitchen facility. We have much-improved restroom facilities. The entire public area is very accessible, and we’re going to get a lot of use out of it.”
A new entry hall welcomes visitors with information, and leads to a bird-watching area outside. A third space features a remodeled family education room. Knickelbine says the new center is twice the size of the old, and will help reduce program cancelations due to inclement weather.
“We were getting to the point where it was difficult sometimes having a school group and other groups that wanted to be our here at the same time. And we wanted to accommodate everybody.”
Outside, the center’s parking lot is designed to help with drainage and runoff. There are solar panels on the roof, and even an electric car charging station as well. Officials say they are impressed.
“Oh it’s beautiful. It’s wonderful. We’re very pleased with how well everything turned out,” said Ellen Lewellen, Woodland Dunes Capital Campaign Co-Chair.
She says the entire project costs around $2.2 million.
“All of these funds were raised by individuals, and corporations locally, that have donated quite generously. And lots of little donations as well as big ones.”
The Nature Center will host an open-house for the public. That runs today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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