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Wednesday was a great day for the Neosho National Fish Hatchery, the Hatchery Friends group and for all of Neosho.
On Wednesday, ground was broken for a $3.75 million visitors center to be constructed in the near future on the fish hatchery grounds. Officials with Crossland Construction, who is tackling the project, said the center could be completed in as little as 10 months.
Several people have played a role in making this dream a reality. Among them are U.S. Sen. Christopher S. “Kit” Bond and Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt, who worked together to secure the initial $1 million in planning funds. Also working diligently in the project are members of the Friends of the Neosho National Fish Hatchery and hatchery manager Dave Hendrix and his staff.
The visitors center is an addition that is much needed. Currently, about 40,000 people visit the hatchery each year, with tour groups crammed into a 400-square-foot space. The new building will have an increased seating capacity and enhanced educational resources to service about 100,000 visitors a year.
Couple that with the new visitors center at George Washington Carver National Monument, finished two years ago, and you can see that Newton County will become a tourist draw with the completion of the hatchery center. This means not only will more people see the county’s natural beauty and learn of its history, but these tourists will positively impact the area’s economy as well.
Hendrix and his staff are committed to helping the youth of today connect to the wonders of nature. We’re glad they are getting better tools to do this great service here in Neosho.
DAILY NEWS
Wednesday was a great day for the Neosho National Fish Hatchery, the Hatchery Friends group and for all of Neosho.
On Wednesday, ground was broken for a $3.75 million visitors center to be constructed in the near future on the fish hatchery grounds. Officials with Crossland Construction, who is tackling the project, said the center could be completed in as little as 10 months.
Several people have played a role in making this dream a reality. Among them are U.S. Sen. Christopher S. “Kit” Bond and Seventh District Congressman Roy Blunt, who worked together to secure the initial $1 million in planning funds. Also working diligently in the project are members of the Friends of the Neosho National Fish Hatchery and hatchery manager Dave Hendrix and his staff.
The visitors center is an addition that is much needed. Currently, about 40,000 people visit the hatchery each year, with tour groups crammed into a 400-square-foot space. The new building will have an increased seating capacity and enhanced educational resources to service about 100,000 visitors a year.
Couple that with the new visitors center at George Washington Carver National Monument, finished two years ago, and you can see that Newton County will become a tourist draw with the completion of the hatchery center. This means not only will more people see the county’s natural beauty and learn of its history, but these tourists will positively impact the area’s economy as well.
Hendrix and his staff are committed to helping the youth of today connect to the wonders of nature. We’re glad they are getting better tools to do this great service here in Neosho.
DAILY NEWS
