Capital Building Fund (old version)

Capital Building Fund

Shortly after Trout Lake Nature Center’s incorporation in 1991, environmental education programs began for Lake County students, families and visitors to the area.

Between 2014 and now, we have reached over 215,700 people with our education programs and activities. Adults who originally visited the Trout Lake Nature Center as children are now bringing their children to discover nature at the Center.

The need to expand our education facilities became apparent as the 21st Century began. We faced overcrowding, inadequate parking, poor traffic flow, an aging museum, and lack of indoor and outdoor teaching space. To expand the capacity of our education activities, we began planning and fundraising.

Our Board of Directors, staff and volunteers undertook a fundraising campaign for the new construction of a museum and classroom space, and expansion of our infrastructure to meet increasing demands. $1 million was raised toward the original estimated cost of $1.2 million.

Our expansion project was divided into three phases. With $1million raised, we completed Phase One:  extending our fire protection, replacing septic systems with connection to a sewer system and beginning construction of a road providing access to a new parking area. And began Phase Two:  building a parking area for 100 vehicles, relocating and building a new, secure maintenance area, and installing the required retention pond. We are in the midst of Phase Two permitting and site plan approvals.

Phase Three will see the building of classrooms, community meeting room, screened outdoor teaching area, natural history museum and additional office space. The cost of Phase Three is $2 million and that is now our fundraising goal.

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MAJOR DONORS

Barbara Mirando
Sara George Charitable Trust
Marjorie Strahlow Estate
Mrs. Charles Newell
Mae Onishchuk, in memory of Dr. Ellen C. Onishchuk
Jerry and Lisa Brown
Charles B. and Mary M. McLin Foundation
United Southern Bank
Mount Dora Community Trust
Civil Engineering Solutions
Scott B. Krehl