On Thursday, May 17, East County Water Control District (ECWCD) will host a campus dedication ceremony and luncheon to celebrate the completion of both its administration and maintenance buildings at 601 East County Lane, Lehigh Acres from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The ECWCD Board of Commissioners including Chairman Michael Welch, Vice Chairman David Deetscreek, Treasurer Mike Bonacolta and Secretary J. Nathan Stout invite the public to join staff, elected officials and local dignitaries at the dedication ceremony.
Senator Michael Bennett will make a special presentation during the celebration.
The dedication ceremony marks the end of a several-year effort to identify the best solution, size and location for a permanent home to both the district’s maintenance and administrative operations.
“For well over a decade the district had been operating out of temporary trailers or rental offices away from our operations site,” said Welch. “Our maintenance building was in so much disrepair that it was doubtful it would get through another storm.”
The ECWCD Board of Commissioners, approved a two-phase plan for a newly expanded campus including a 6,835 square-foot, one-story administration building; an 8,400 square-foot maintenance building; and minor renovations to an existing aquatic plant control hanger.
“Recognizing the times we face, the elected leaders of the district were able to come together to approve the construction of a maintenance building that also protects our equipment and a district administration building that is frugal, utilitarian and respectful of taxpayers’ dollars,” said Welch. “We were able to fund these dire needs without taking more money from taxpayers’ pockets.”
The newly constructed maintenance building houses district equipment and provides a base for the district’s field staff. This facility helps to elevate the district’s services by providing a wash bay with grease and oil separators for cleaning machinery; a clean engine assembly room for on-site heavy equipment repairs; and three vehicle lifts for fleet maintenance. The administration building includes staff offices and a multipurpose room that will host meetings of the ECWCD Board of Commissioners.
AIM Engineering and Surveying Inc. designed the overall site plan for the campus. Burt Hill Pollock Krieg Architects provided the architectural design services for both the administration and maintenance buildings, while Owen-Ames-Kimball Company managed the construction of both buildings. The dedication ceremony and luncheon is supported through contributions from the campus design consultants and vendors.
“It is a good feeling to have our staff working from one location,” said David E. Lindsay, ECWCD District Manager. “The new campus provides the district with the safety and security to operate efficiently and effectively even in the event of a hurricane.”