New GRDA Center Nearing Completion

By Craig Day, The News On 6

MAYES COUNTY, OK -- An exciting project is nearly finished along the shores of Grand Lake.

GRDA is starting to move in to a multimillion dollar ecosystems and education center.

It is a new building that is just as stunning as the incredible views along Grand Lake where it sits.

The News On 6 first visited GRDA's new ecosystem and education center in February.

The steel and concrete have now been transformed into a stunning structure on the shore of Grand Lake.

"To have this place where the kids can come and learn history and learn about hydro power, and learn about electrical safety and water safety, and to be able to bring them here, it's really giving back to the area," Justin Alberty, GRDA.

The official opening is a few months away but some employees are already here, including those in a new water quality lab.

"Water quality monitoring, zebra mussel monitoring, fish habitat enhancement, things like that," Alberty said.

Students from OSU, Rogers State and OU will get to do research and internships.

The center also features historical exhibits and has a theater.

"There is just so many different facets of GRDA that people just don't know about," said Holly Moore, GRDA.

A 144- seat community room will host events and public meetings

The same architects who designed the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City and Broken Arrow's new activity center, worked on this project.

Outside, you can see one of the best features of GRDA's new ecosystem and education center, and the view.

The center overlooks Grand Lake and the Pensacola Dam and will serve as the starting point for dam tours.

"You get wonderful view of Grand Lake of course, and a wonderful view of what we really think of as the signature of GRDA is our Pensacola Dam right here," Alberty said.

It all adds up to an impressive 16,000 square foot addition to the Grand Lake area

"Oh, yeah, it's going to be hopping," Moore said.