Ridgefield refuge plans for new center

$9 million project still in need of funding

Local refuge managers envision a $9 million combined office and visitor center rising on the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.

There’s just one hitch: The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service doesn’t have the money, at least not yet. Local agency managers applied for construction money through the $787 billion federal economic stimulus act, but the Ridgefield proposal was squeezed out by other projects.

The permanent center would be constructed on the Carty unit north of Ridgefield.

Local employees haven’t lost hope, said Bob Flores, manager of the complex of Southwest Washington refuges headquartered at Ridgefield. Flores said it’s possible the center could qualify under a future stimulus bill, or by the Fish & Wildlife Service redirecting savings reaped from lower-than-anticipated construction costs on projects across the country.

The refuge wants to be prepared with a plan if the money materializes, Flores said.

It’s hosting an open house at the Ridgefield Community Center at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 18 to discuss the site design for the visitor center, along with a new pedestrian bridge across the BNSF Railway tracks toward the replica Cathlapotle Plankhouse, parking lots and connecting trails.

The 10,485-square-foot building envisioned for the site would replace the double-wide modular office that was erected for $200,000 in 2006.

Floor plans for the new center depict office space for refuge employees, as well as room for the nonprofit Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. It includes a large public multi-purpose room, lobby, bookstore and exhibit hall that will include an exploration area for children visiting the refuge.