Lake Havasu City Council approves phase 2 design work for Environmental Learning Center using America's Best Communities funds

The Lake Havasu City Council on Oct. 22 approved Amendment No. 1 to an architectural services agreement with Jones Studio Inc., clearing the way for phase 2 design and fundraising materials for the proposed Environmental Learning Center (ELC).

The amendment, moved by Councilmember Jim Dolan and seconded by Councilmember Gordon Groat, passed 6–1. The contract amendment directs remaining America's Best Communities (ABC) funds allocated to Pillar 4 to be used for phase 2 work, which includes schematic design, site layout, programming details, cost estimates and marketing collateral to support fundraising.

The ELC is a Vision 2020 project that received part of the city’s $2 million ABC award. Charlie Cassens, speaking for Pillar 4, told the council the center must be a city-run facility because of Recreation and Public Purposes Act requirements and that phase 2 will produce “the collateral materials” needed to approach potential partners and grantors. “Phase 2 is critical to our ability to garner those potential partners,” Cassens said during the hearing.

Why it matters: supporters say the center would make Lake Havasu City a regional clearinghouse for Colorado River research and education, host shared laboratory space, outdoor classrooms, exhibitions and trail connections, and could house the city’s aging water-quality lab. Opponents and some council members pressed for clarity on long-term costs and the city’s exposure if fundraising fails.

What the council heard and discussed

- Scope and partners: Project presenters and consultants described an approximate program that in early planning shows about an 8,800-square-foot main building, roughly 400,000 square feet of outdoor amenities, and a proposed 2,200-square-foot water-quality laboratory within the building. Jones Studio representatives said phase 2 would turn feasibility findings into detailed site and building plans and produce renderings and a fundraising package to present to potential partners including Arizona State University, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Metropolitan Water District.

- Costs and funding: Pillar 4 members and consultants cited a preliminary building estimate of about $7 million plus roughly $1.6 million in soft costs for permits and planning; presenters emphasized they expect the project’s final size and cost to change with partner input. Councilmember Gordon Groat referenced language in the amendment indicating the city could be responsible for up to $435,750 under Section B; Charlie Cassens and others clarified the phase 2 funds come from ABC prize monies and not from the city’s general fund.

- Operations and revenue: Cassens and others said preliminary pro forma projections show an operating gap in the first year (about $300,000 in the materials presented) but argued that with memberships, admissions, leases (gift shop, café), donations and grants the facility could move toward self-sufficiency after start-up. Presenters said the intent is to minimize or avoid ongoing city taxpayer subsidies.

- Council concerns: Councilmembers asked whether phase 2 is primarily marketing or indispensable design work; presenters answered that phase 2 combines conceptual design and the fundraising materials needed to solicit large partners and grant funding. Councilmember Donna McCoy and others asked whether initial renderings from phase 1 would have been sufficient; designers said phase 1 illustrations were precedent images and research but lacked the project-level plans and budgets that funders require. Councilmember Michelle Lynn and others voiced caution about future taxpayer obligations if fundraising fails and about timing given other budget pressures.

Public and partner comments

State and federal agency representatives and community members spoke in favor of advancing phase 2 so the region could pursue grants and partnerships. Mike Sumner of the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Richard Myers of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service both said the concept had merit for showcasing and studying local natural resources. ASU Lake Havasu director Raymond Van Ray said the university supported further study but had not made a financial commitment.

Outcome and next steps

The council vote authorized execution of Amendment No. 1 with Jones Studio Inc. to proceed with phase 2 design, funded by the remaining ABC grant allocation managed by Pillar 4. Councilmembers and presenters repeatedly said that construction would not begin without secured funding; if fundraising or grant applications fail, the project would not proceed to construction. Pillar 4 and project consultants will use the phase 2 deliverables to solicit partners and apply for grants.