New Nature Center Facility Constructon Completed!

After years of support from the community, our membership, and the City of Chico, the Chico Creek Nature Center is excited to announce the completion of the construction phase of our new interpretive facility and nature lab!

We are now concentrating on raising the funds necessary to cover the $165,000 cost of exhibits and lab equipment. We are very close to reaching this financial goal and brick paver purchases can help push us over the top. Be a part of our lasting gift to Bidwell Park and the community by following the Buy a Brick online purchase instructions.

Big thanks to the many that have done so already! Previously purchased bricks have now been neatly placed in the patio outside the new facility and donors are encouraged to come by and view them.

The opening of the new facility to the public is expected in the spring of 2010.

Timeline

The capital campaign to finance the Nature Center's new interpretive and classroom facility began in May of 2001. In 2004, the City of Chico's Park Commission and Council prioritized funding from California State Proposition 40 for this Park project. Immediately the Center began raising private funds to make up the balance necessary to send the plans out to bid for what would become a City owned facility.

The first bids exceeded The Center's budget by a large margin. However, thanks to the in-kind donation of a building redesign by architect Dave Schleiger and contractor Don Azevedo's provision of a construction estimate that was in line with the Center's budget, ground was broken for the new facility during the summer of 2007. Construction was finished on time and on budget in May of 08.

With the award of $98,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington D.C. to design and construct exhibits, Center staff and board members are now raising match money required by the grant and hope to open the new interpretive and classroom facility to the public in the early months of 2010.