Refuge Visitor Center Moving Closer to Completion

During the past two weeks, good progress has been made on the new Refuge Visitor Center/Administrative Facility! The majority of construction has been completed and staff members have moved into the admin side. Landscapers are still working to install plants and irrigation lines and punch list items are being completed. The only major item remaining is to install exhibits both inside and outside the building. This is expected to happen beginning in mid August and should take 7 - 10 days.

Now that we have taken legal occupancy possession of the facility, we will provide limited access to the public. Visitors will be allowed to enter the Visitor Center from 7:30am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday to get Refuge information and/or obtain Senior or Access Passes. The restrooms will also be available. The portion of the facility where exhibits will soon be installed is closed-off and the multi-purpose room will remained closed until July’s Second Saturday Program. Once the exhibits are installed, we will be open the hours listed above plus Saturday 9:00 to 4:00 and Sunday 1:00 to 5:00.

The official grand opening event is set for Thursday, September 8th. Stay tuned for more information on that day and the following weekend when new facility tours and programs will be offered for everyone!

Text and photo by Kathy Whaley, Refuge Manager

Note: The Visitor Center will be closed for national holiday on Monday, July 4. For more information about the Refuge, click Hagerman NWR, For information about the Friends, see Friends of Hagerman.