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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAKOTA RIDGE PUD SECOND FILING PRELIMINARY - 60 91H - MEDIA - CORRESPONDENCEEnvironmental center grows Coors offers $500,000 grant to help CSU project expand By J. LEWANDOWSKI The Coloradoan On Earth Day eve, Coors Brewing Co. an- nounced a $500,000 grant that will fund con- struction of a permanent home for Colorado State University's Environmental Learning Cen- ter. The contribution was announced at a presen- tation cer- emony Wednes- day afternoon. More than 100 university, city and busi- ness officials attended. "This build- ing will give us the ability to operate 12 months a year," said Glenn Haas, chairman of the Recreation Resources and ape Ar-- Center marks Earth Day/AS ehitecture-- D., partment at CSU and director of the ELC. "The new facility will be a focal point for an educational program that promotes the connec- tion between people and their environment." CSU owns 200 acres along the Poudre River cast of Fort Collins. On the property is a 2-mile nature trail along the river and a raptor center. About 8,000 people visited the site last year. The Coors grant will allow a significant expan- sion of the ELC and programs, Haas said. It's anticipated that the main ELC building will be about 3,000 square feet. The university is considering three building sites near the river. A construction date has not been set,, ut the main building should be completed by 19 5. Coors will contribute $100,000 to the project each year for five years. Haas anticipates more projec6ill follow, in- cluding more trails, equipment and an amphi- theater. The city also plans to construct a new bike, path to the area. "I see a whole continuous series of projects," Haas said. Peter Coors, chief executive officer of Coors Brewing, said the grant will help increase envi- ronmental awareness. limn MoKay/The Coloradoan kk ,rant tinued from Page Al !oloradu's success is inex- ably linked to wise stew - ship of our state's unparal- d natural resources. The iironmental Learning Con - is a superb opportunity Coors said. Nty, university and state of- als thanked Coors for the .ation. ;on Cattany, deputy direc- tor of the Colorado De- partment of Natural Re- sources, said the grant, is nn example of how businesses must work with public agen- cies on environmental issues. Fewer regulations will be re- quired if industry acts respon- sibly, Cattany said. "We must learn to resolve conflicts and forge partner- ships," Cattany said. See GRANT, Page A8