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July 2, 2008
Shelley Szafraniec, APR
Community Information Specialist

OFFICIALS SET TO BREAK GROUND FOR LIBRARY EXPANSION, LYONIA ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER AND AMPHITHEATER

The expansion of the Deltona Regional Library and the creation of an environmental learning center and amphitheater at Lyonia Preserve soon will be one step closer to reality. Officials will gather to break ground at the site at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, July 10.

Members of the Volusia County Council, the mayor and commissioners from the City of Deltona, School Board representatives and members of Volusia County’s Library Advisory Board, along with many other community partners, will gather for the ceremony. The public is invited to attend.

The $11.7 million expansion project is anticipated to be completed in July 2009. The project will double the library’s size from 25,000 to 50,000 square feet and add an environmental learning center and outdoor amphitheater.

The Deltona Regional Library is one of Volusia County’s busiest libraries, accounting for 16 percent of county library transactions. Last year, Deltona library patrons checked out more than 580,000 items and accounted for 1.9 million transactions.

When completed, the expansion will enlarge the computer area, auditorium and children’s sections, and a new teen area will be built. Also in the plans is a two-room meeting suite that can be accessed by community groups after hours.

A 4,000-square-foot environmental learning center will be part of the library complex. The Lyonia Environmental Center is being developed to encourage discovery and exploration of Volusia County’s ecosystems and foster community involvement in conservation efforts. Staff will provide hands-on field and classroom and environmental experiences.

The Lyonia Environmental Center will include two classrooms, an exhibit gallery, a visiting scientist’s workroom, and a coffee and gift shop.

The library expansion and Lyonia Environmental Center will be “green.” The county will apply for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council to certify the building is environmentally responsible and a healthy place to work. Additionally, the landscaping will incorporate Florida native plants that thrive in local conditions and require less maintenance and no supplemental irrigation once established.

A 1,000-seat outdoor amphitheater will be constructed next to the library for community gatherings and educational instruction.

The Deltona City Commission has contributed $2 million toward the expansion project and will pay $250,000 a year for 10 years to help with maintenance and operating costs.

For information about Library Services during the construction phase, please visit www.volusia.org/library. For information about the Lyonia Environmental Center, visit www.LyoniaPreserve.com.

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