AUSTIN — A new beginning is on the horizon for the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.
Last year on Earth Day, the nature center broke ground on a 15,000-square-foot, estimated $7 million, one-level interpretive center.
While only several months into his role since succeeding Larry Dolphin, director Luke Reese embraced the project as a sign of positive change. Reese credited much of the new center to his predecessor, who was a major force in making the project a reality.
"It's definitely a dream job," Reese said, beaming. "I still think it's a dream job. We spent a lot of energy, time and thought into this. It's going to show in the final results."
The last of the exhibits are to be installed this weekend, and the new interpretive center is on track to open on Earth Day, April 22. The previous building will be demolished, and the empty space may be incorporated into another project sometime down the road, Reese said.
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During the nature center's 45 years of operation, the number of visitors has tripled, ranging between 65,000 to 70,000 new visitors per year. This included 12,000 to 14,000 people participating in direct programming for all ages. Often, visiting school groups couldn't all fit inside the old nature center building nearby.
On Wednesday, crews were installing lettering on the new 20-seat theater, which will feature video on the history of Jay C. Hormel. Exhibits were being assembled: a "creatures of the night" display featuring nocturnal animals and the constellations of the sky, a miniature prairie where visitors could poke their heads underneath domes by crawling through a tunnel and a new children's area with interactive activities.
Throughout the spaces, colorful, hand-painted murals depicting wildlife adorned the walls. Created by Split Rock Studios based in the Twin Cities, the murals are a favorite of Reese's. "I think the exhibits are all wonderfully done," he said.
Others contributed much to the nature center's transformation. Ben Sherman and Maria Anderson, both employees of the nature center, walked through the interpretive center with notes to ensure all the exhibits were functional and installed properly before opening day.
"There's a lot of little surprises for everyone," Sherman said. "There's lots to explore. It's tough picking a favorite part. … Every part is like our baby."
"It's been a huge undertaking," Anderson said. "It's so exciting to see everything come together. I'm sure when visitors come, they'll be impressed."
