Bird enthusiasts get ready as the National Eagle Center in Wabasha is set to reopen on Friday for the first time since phase 1 of the Wabasha Riverfront Revitalization project was finished.
The $27 million renovations started in November and forced the center to close its doors, but now Ed Hahn, the center’s marketing manager, says it’s ready for visitors once again, and it won’t be like anything they’ve experienced before.
“For people coming back this summer, it’s going to be rediscovering the National Eagle Center for the first time,” Hahn said.
The renovation added new exhibits, expanded care facilities for eagles, and added more display space to benefit the birds and the public. But it also helped the center shift focus and offer more than it had before.
“Historically, we’ve really been focused on the natural eco-environmentalism, eco-biology, and behavior,” Hahn said. “Now we have this whole new element of the humanities. We have arts and culture and history… That’s really going to take the educational experience to a whole new level.”
Hahn shared that the National Eagle Center would look to bring in between 70,000 to 80,000 people in a typical year, but they are now planning for 120,000.
While Hahn shared that letting the public see the renovations is exciting, those at the eagle center are looking forward to something else.
“We’re certainly excited to be able to welcome the public back to the National Eagle Center to share the changes with them,” Hahn said. “But first and foremost, to let them reconnect with the eagles once again.”
The renovations are not complete as Hahn says work on the surrounding land will continue to offer more public usage spaces along the riverfront and build an outdoor amphitheater the center can use for educational purposes.
The center is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with presentations given each day at 1 p.m. with additional programs at 11 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
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