Nature Center Construction Will Continue in January

Even the cold will not be stopping the renovations.

It’s almost fitting, given that the end result of the project will involve the construction of a “Green Building” that, if all pans out, will provide cooling in the summer and heat in the winter.

With a total cost of approximately $2.3 million divided between three phases of construction, the center will soon be bigger, more energy efficient and able to provide further education and recreation to its nearly 100,000 annual visitors.

“It’s been wonderful over the years to see us grow to the point where we have to have this extra space,” said Kirsten Becker, the CNC’s assistant director, who has worked there for 23 years.

The CNC is still in Phase I of the construction, which Becker said will continue in January and is targeted to be completed by the end of the month. It includes a cooling tower, complete with 32 closed system wells, to provide geothermal power pumped through a new HVAC system that will make the building comfortable and yet environmentally friendly throughout the year.

The design will make the CNC the first certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building in Bucks County and will be at least “Silver Status” in that regards. To help explain its “green” features, a demonstration hall will be added to offer a first-hand look at the tower, processes and information on environmentally friendly energy sources.

But the changes expand far beyond that. Visitors, including around 25,000 children on educational trips each year, will be able to enjoy a new demonstration hall, classrooms and even live animals. Employees and volunteers will have new offices and a “wet lab” for research as part of Phase I, which will cost an estimated $1.26 million.

Much of the framework for the project had been completed as of mid-December. Once Phase I is finished, the CNC is hoping to progress right into Phase II. However, final approval for the plans of both Phases II and III is pending the Bucks County Commissioners. The item was not on the agenda on Dec. 21, but CNC Director Chris Steiber is hoping that the okay will be given sometime in the next month.

“It’s upcoming, but that’s all I can say,” he said. “We’re moving in that direction to move forward.”

Once started, Phase II will feature an auditorium capable of accommodating large groups, as well as an expanded kitchen. The entire expansion of the CNC will add 5,500 square feet to the facility.

The original center, which was built in 1976, will also be renovated as part of Phase III. Featured in that will be improvements to the Great Exhibit Hall and Welcome Center, as well as an expanded gift shop. Yet, the current ambiance should not be lost.

“We’re kind of keeping the theme of the original building, as well,” Becker said.

Donations for the project are still being accepted, which can be done on the CNC’s Web site, www.churchvillenaturecenter.org. The renovations are coming due to more visitors, including a 500 percent jump over 12 years, according to the Web site.

The construction, though, should not cause the building to close for those hoping to stop by in the near future.

“The current building will continue to function through all of this,” Becker said.