The State Legislature has granted matching funds of $148,000 through the Alec Courtelis Capital Facilities Enhancement Challenge Grant Program.
Construction is expected to begin by late October. (photo by W. Marquardt)
The intent of this program is to provide incentive for private giving toward the construction of state university facilities. Because the Randell Research Center is a part of the Florida Museum of Natural History, which is administered under the University of Florida, the RRC classroom is considered a UF building. What this means is that we have enough money to complete construction of our public facilities at the Pineland site. The classroom will be located at the beginning of the Calusa Heritage Trail.
When completed, the 20-x-32-foot classroom will seat 50 people in an attractive space with exposed beams and ceiling fans. Adjustable louvers will provide ventilation and light control. Built-in projection equipment will enable the showing of slides, computer-assisted presentations, and videos. The classroom will provide a comfortable learning environment that will serve all our audiences, from visitors to school children. In addition to the main classroom space, we will also offer a 12-x-16-foot book-and-gift shop. Behind the shop there will be two 60-square-foot storage rooms, one for teaching materials used daily by docents, the other for equipment and bookshop stock.
Again, we thank those who have donated to the construction fund – your gifts have been doubled! But without your generosity, there would have been nothing for the state to match. We will report on our progress in future newsletters, and please come visit the site when you can.
This article was taken from the Friends of the Randell Research Center Newsletter Vol 4, No. 3. September 2005.