For immediate release - August 2, 2005

Ground breaking scheduled for Agricultural Center renovation

TAVARES — The Lake County Board of County Commissioners is hosting a ground-breaking ceremony Monday, Aug. 8, at 9 a.m. for the renovation project of the Lake County Agricultural Center, located at 30205 State Road 19, Tavares.

The public is invited to attend this ceremony and learn more about the $1.2-million renovation project that will feature construction of a new lobby, classroom, restrooms and a covered driveway at that facility. Built in 1960 and 1961, the Agricultural Center is due for a facelift, according to Deborah Boulware, Lake County Extension Service Director.

“There are a lot of little facets to the project, but the major aspects are the new lobby, offices, classroom and restrooms,” she said. “This project will set us up for the future as we will be able to serve the public more comfortably when they come to meetings, as well as give us more classroom space so we can hold more functions, especially for the 4-H program.”

Renovation of the Agricultural Center is expected to begin by the middle of August and continue for eight or nine months. The center will remain open during the project, but community meetings typically held at the facility will be relocated, Boulware said.

“However, in the end this will enable us to serve the public better by being available for more educational programs and classes,” she said. “I think this will position the extension service to better serve the community for the next 30 to 40 years.”

The Agricultural Center houses the Lake County Cooperative Extension Service, a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences and the Board of County Commissioners. The trained professionals and volunteers of the extension service offer research-based education in agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and 4-H youth development.

For more information about the Lake County Agricultural Center, call (352) 343-4101.

###

Contact information:
Christopher Patton
Communications Coordinator
Office: (352) 343-9609; Cell: (352) 455-0445
cpatton@co.lake.fl.us