Joseph R. Skeen Visitor's Center

Joseph R. Skeen Visitor's Center
- The scope of this project involved construction of the Joseph Skeen Visitor Center at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge location in Chaves County, New Mexico including the 6,120 s.f. building, parking area and entry drive, walkways and landscaping. The Visitor Center is a single-story wood frame structure with a stucco exterior finish and metal roof complementing the natural landscape of the area. The facility is built into the side of a hill. The facility has walkways and panels of windows extending the length of the building on both sides of a trellis covered deck. This arrangement provides 124’ lineal feet of unobstructed views overlooking the refuge wetlands and Pecos River Valley. The interior of the facility offers natural finishes including a tongue and groove ceiling and glazed concrete flooring and enhances the views. The Visitor Center houses exhibit areas, a workshop, meeting room, multi-purpose areas, a gift shop/book store, public and employee restrooms, vending machine area and private offices and kitchenette. Private areas are framed using gypsum wallboard systems and a variety of flooring including carpeting and ceramic tile. Extensive site work was required for the construction of the building as well as to provide large parking areas for cars as well as buses, recreational vehicles. Other site improvements included utilities and walkways.
- Sq Ft: 6,120
- Completion Date: 08/08/2006