DCNR breaks ground on new education centre in Pennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has broken ground on a new Jacobsburg Environmental Education Centre in Belfast, Northampton County, Pennsylvania.
The new educational centre will span over 9,300 square feet, which will accommodate environmental education space for interpretive programming, office space, and modern public restrooms. The new centre has been designed in a way that it can meet the needs of projected 22% growth in population in the region by 2030.
The facility will incorporate a host of green features, which will comprise a green roof; and an array of solar panels, which will generate green-power to meet some of its power requirements. Other eco-conscious features will comprise geothermal heating and cooling system, an onsite storm-water infiltration system and water conserving plumbing fixtures. Further sustainability will be achieved through usage of regionally purchased materials and high recycled-content materials.
Construction on the scheme will be undertaken by US-based Lobar Incorporated, while project management will be undertaken by Department of General Services. The project is expected to complete by August 2013 and will entail a capital outlay of $4.8 million.
