Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Designers propose 28,000‑gallon rainwater tank and classroom layout for Blue Hole Nature Center
Loading...
Summary
At the April 8 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting, designers presented updated Blue Hole Nature Center plans that include two classrooms that can open into one, expanded restroom stalls, exhibit walls, low west‑side glazing and a roughly 28,000‑gallon rainwater tank sized to reserve 10,000 gallons for fire suppression. The board asked about sightlines, trails and interpretive features; staff will return with pricing and final design documents.
WIMBERLEY, Texas — Designers reviewed a revised plan for the Blue Hole Nature Center at the Wimberley Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting on April 8, describing a multi‑use classroom layout, exhibit space and an enlarged rainwater system that the team says will meet building and fire‑safety requirements.
Tena, a member of the design team, told the board the revised floor plan adds two stalls per restroom and configures two classrooms so they can open into one larger teaching space. “We now understand that we need 10,000 gallons of storage for fire suppression,” Tena said, adding the rainwater tank would be sized so that number remains dedicated for fire protection while the rest supports irrigation and nonpotable uses.
Why it matters: the project is intended to demonstrate water conservation and nature education on site while providing classroom and event space for camps and community programming. Designers also flagged energy options, saying the building will be made solar‑ready even if full photovoltaic installation is deferred until pricing is available.
Design details presented included reduced glazing on the west elevation to avoid glare from low sun angles, skylights over the north porch to bring daylight into exhibit areas, and a larger rainwater tank the team described as approximately 28,000 gallons to accommodate a permanent 10,000‑gallon fire reserve plus additional volumes for irrigation and toilet flushing. Tena said the manufacturer expects to design the plumbing so only fire systems can draw the protected 10,000 gallons.
Board members pressed on visibility and hands‑on programming. “This classroom has almost no view of nature, which is a shame,” said Leanne Linham, a board member, urging the team to increase sightlines where possible. Designers said they would study additional glazing on the south and north walls and run daylighting photometrics to guide final decisions.
The plan also includes a landscape concept that channels rainwater from the roof into a naturalized acequia feature and tree wells for irrigation, plus a small hand‑pump and channels for supervised, interpretive water play. The design team said they will pursue grant and play‑element funding to keep play features aligned with educational goals rather than playground equipment.
Staff and the design team told the board they are targeting a design‑development milestone in mid‑April and will provide pricing and a finalized scope at the next meeting. No formal action was taken at the April 8 meeting; staff will return with cost estimates and a 100% design‑development package for further recommendation.
What’s next: the design team said they expect a 100% design‑development deliverable in about two weeks and will return with pricing information for board review.
