For those eagerly waiting, the new Rotary Interpretive Center will be officially opened on Saturday, June 22nd at noon. The Center is located at 21177 Fraser Highway in the Derek Doubleday Arboretum. The project commenced in August of 2017 courtesy of the Rotary Club of Langley, British Columbia because they raised $250,000 for the design and construction of the Center. The Rotary Club donated to mark and celebrate their 60th anniversary. The Township of Langley also made an equal contribution via its budget. To make the project a success, the Rotary Club of Langley had to seek donations of labor and construction materials, for example, plumbing, electric fireplace, wall framing, discounted lumber, and windows.
As of now, the new Rotary Interpretive Center is a two-storey 100 sq. meter impressive-looking building. Its distinctive features include an unmilled long post, a beam design with cedar siding a green roof. After its opening, the building will house desk space for volunteers Arboretum and the Botanical Society of Langley workers who operate programs or maintain the park. The public can enjoy numerous interactive and interpretive displays on the natural environment and sustainability. With the entrance plaza designed and constructed with seating, the public and visitors can enjoy the great views of Derek Doubleday Arboretum.
According to the Director of Public Spaces & Community Initiatives in the Township of Langley, Al Neufeld, the park’s main functions entail educating people about the massive environmental and cultural uses of plants. The Director continued to express his desire for the Center to inform the people about the beauty and versatility of wood as a building material while demonstrating a sustainable design. After the facility is opened to the public, it will serve the general public and visitors to the Arboretum with a kitchenette, bookable meeting space, and restrooms.
Neufeld also noted and appreciated the efforts portrayed by the Rotary Club of Langley. Mr. Neufeld has promised that the facility will be used well by the current and future generations. ‘Over the past few years Derek Doubleday Arboretum has had numerous patronage,’ Neufeld added. There was an addition of demonstration gardens and walking trails. The annual environmental education event, known as Rivers Day, attracted at least 3,500 people in the park. These are some of the reasons why Derek Doubleday Arboretum plays a vital role in environmental awareness.
The council adopted Derek Doubleday Arboretum’s master plan in 2010. The plan has a building that acts as a welcome center and an interpretive center for the park. Besides the Rotary Interpretive Center building, the Rotary Club of Langley has played an enormous role in assisting other projects since 2006. These projects include two viewing decks along Fraser Creek, Literary Circle, rain gardens, landscaping plantings, benches, and the deck around the Walk to Remember commemorative structure.
For members of the public who are willing to attend the opening ceremony and tour the building, shuttle service will be provided while visitors can park at 20955 Old Yale Road at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church.
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