Botanical garden adding welcome center
The new welcome center at Huntsville Botanical Garden will have 30,000 square feet. (CONTRIBUTED)
HUNTSVILLE – “We’re not dreaming anymore!” is the slogan for Huntsville Botanical Garden’s plans for a new welcome center.
The garden will break ground on a 30,000 square foot building on Jan. 20, 2016. The building will feature a new portal to the garden, larger gift shop and cafe, three rental facilities, two catering kitchens, separate bride and groom’s rooms and restrooms, storage and office space.
“The iconic new facility will feature many new guest amenities and welcome visitors with warm Southern hospitality,” director of communications Carol Casey said.
The largest room, The Grand Hall, will seat 350 guests, while the more casual Carriage House with doors opening to the garden, will seat more than 150 people. “The gorgeous Glass Conservatory will entertain about 50 people. Reservations for these halls for 2017 events will begin March 1, 2016,” Casey said.
Garden CEO Paula Steigerwald said garden members and staff “are so excited and proud of what this facility will do for the garden and community. It will provide resources for continued growth and an even better place for our visitors, members, volunteers and staff to enjoy, celebrate, work and come together.”
Huntsville architects Matheny Goldmon + Interiors designed the building. Turner Construction will build the facility. Estimated completion date is early 2017.
Huntsville Botanical Garden is open year-round and features the nation’s largest open-air butterfly house, a picture-perfect aquatic garden, spectacular nature trails, numerous specialty gardens, including an interactive children’s garden and various plant collections.
The 112-acre garden is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that approximately 35 full and part-time employees operate with more than 1,900 active volunteers. The garden features five annual festivals: Beaks & Barks, Huntsville Blooms, Summer Butterfly House, Fall Scarecrow Trail and Holiday Galaxy of Lights.
For more information, call 256-830-4447, ext. 242 or visit hsvbg.org.
