Michael Johnstone, staff writer

EAGLE NEST — Construction has begun on the new visitors center at Eagle Nest Lake State Park. It is projected to be completed by March 2009.
The building will be approximately 3,770 square feet and cost $1.4 million. The original plan called for a larger building, but due to budget constraints the size was reduced. New Mexico State Parks is funding the project.
One of the goals is to make the facility a “zero net energy” building, which means it will be energy self-sufficient. According to Robert Vadurro, the architect for New Mexico State Parks, the key is to first reduce the energy needs. “We do this in a variety of ways. The building will be insulated very efficiently. We are using straw bales and recycled cellulose to insulate the walls. We are also using triple glazed windows on all sides except the south to hold in the heat. The southern windows will be larger and double glazed to allow more heat into the building,” said Vadurro.
To reduce the amount of energy spent on lighting, a skylight will run along the entire roof ridge.
Vadurro explained that the building will generate power from the sun and the wind. “We are using photo-voltaic solar cells to harness energy from the sun and we will also use a wind-powered generator. This will be a vertical-axis device about 30 feet tall. It will look more like an egg beater than a standard windmill,” said Vadurro. This newer style of wind machine is also less likely to harm birds.
The building will contain an exhibit room, staff offices, and a multi-purpose room that could be used for educational and interpretive programs. Additionally, there will be a large patio that will face Eagle Nest Lake.
The general contractor is LCI2 of El Prado. LCI2 President Chuck Landgraf stated that the earth work and building pads have been completed and they will now start work on the site walls and utilities. “We are definitely on target to complete the project in March. The key is to complete the stucco before the winter snows,” said Landgraf. The other major contractors are Phoenix Mechanical of Taos, which will handle the plumbing, and Energy Concepts of Sapello which will install the photo-voltaic cells and wind generator.
According to Landgraf, the building has the opportunity to receive a platinum award by The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). LEED is a system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to provide a set of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. This would be the first such designation in New Mexico.
Marshall Garcia, manager of Eagle Nest Lake State Park, is understandably glad to see the construction begin. “It has been a slow process, since other projects took priority, but now with the dirt work taking place people are curious about what is going on. The staff here is excited about the project, and I think it will increase the number of visitors to the lake,” said Garcia.
Next up: improving the day use facilities and building a playground near the visitor’s center. These projects are scheduled to get underway next summer.