2010 News

September 16, 2010

Commissioners Break Ground On Phase 1 of Churchville Nature Center Green Building Addition

With a pleasant late summer breeze framing the festivities September 15, the Board of Bucks County Commissioners joined state and local elected officials and members of the Churchville Nature Center to break ground on Phase 1 of the center’s green building addition. “This is a wonderful occasion, and a beautiful day,” Chairman Charles H. Martin commented before joining fellow Commissioners James F. Cawley, Esq. and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW, Pennsylvania Senator Tommy Tomlinson and Northampton Township Supervisor Vincent Deon to put ceremonial shovel to earth.

The entire project will involve the construction of a 5,479-square foot “Green and Sustainable” LEED certified addition to the existing Nature Center (and Environmental Education Center). The project is broken down into two phases. Phase 1 of the two-phase project will include 3,107 square feet of additional space for school programs, green living and sustainable design exhibit hall, ADA accessible restrooms, a watershed research lab and expanded office space.

“This project was initiated, by my estimation, probably 12 years ago,” Commissioner Cawley recalled, adding that he was then a member of Sen. Tomlinson’s staff. “This is very exciting, as it represents a public/private partnership – with many individual private contributions.”

Commissioner Marseglia stated that she had never visited Churchville Nature Center prior to becoming an elected county official during November, 2007. “I have learned how important this is and how close people hold it in their hearts,” she remarked. Wearing a gold hawk necklace that she purchased at the center gift shop, she pledged to return for the ribbon cutting of the completed expansion.

The Board of Commissioners joined Sen. Tomlinson and Pennsylvania Representative Scott Petri (who was unable to attend due to a legislative session) in thanking former Representative Roy Reinard for his efforts in making the expansion a reality. “I would like to thank the commissioners for their commitment to this project,” Sen. Tomlinson stated. “With the educational factor here (approximately 25,000 local students visit the center for programs on an annual basis), it is the perfect place and the perfect project.”

The new building will qualify for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, from the U.S. Green Building Council) “Gold” certification. The center will highlight features including recycled materials, geothermal heating and cooling, photovoltaic panels, cooling tower, waterless urinals, a recycled grey water system and earth berming.

In addition to the County of Bucks and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, other partners in the expansion include PECO Energy, Aqua American, the McLean Contributorship, First National Bank and Trust Company of Newtown, the Schnur Philanthropic Fund, and many friends of Churchville Nature Center. For additional information about the center, please visit www.churchvillenaturecenter.org.