Peace River Wildlife Center set to begin $6M project

Construction of a new $6 million facility for the Peace River Wildlife Center will begin March 2 on Henry Street after the Punta Gorda City Council approved a key financing measure Feb. 25. 

Council members approved a $3.2 million loan subordination agreement between the wildlife center and Synovus Bank, clearing the way for construction to proceed. The agreement was required because the city owns the land where the new center will be built and is leasing it to the nonprofit for $1 per year. 

Several council members raised concerns about whether the city could be liable if Peace River Wildlife Center defaulted on the loan. Interim City Attorney Steven Leskovich and Edward Wotitzky, representing the wildlife center, assured council members the city would not lose its land or be responsible for any default. 

Although the wildlife center already has funding and pledge agreements in place to cover construction costs, CEO Tricia LaPointe said the 60-month loan will function as a line of credit. The financing will allow the organization to pay for materials already ordered and accelerate construction. 

The project represents a major step in the organization’s long effort to relocate from its longtime home at Ponce de Leon Park, where the city has leased acreage to the center for many years along the Peace River. 

City officials believed they owned all of the land at the park until 2014, when a developer asserted ownership of most of the property where the wildlife center operates. The developer allowed the center to remain temporarily while it sought a new location and has since begun developing surrounding parcels for condominiums. The wildlife center has not yet been told when it must vacate the site. 

In April 2017, the city signed a 50-year lease with the wildlife center for an acre at Ponce de Leon Park that it does own, but the space was insufficient for the organization’s needs. City staff then began searching for an alternative site. 

The city later agreed to lease a 3.5-acre parcel adjacent to Hounds on Henry Dog Park, also on city-owned land. The agreement spurred fundraising efforts and pledges to support the relocation and construction of a new facility. The site includes an additional 0.88 acres that may be used for future expansion. 

Plans for the new center include a 4,700-square-foot education building with exhibits, offices, a conference area and a gift shop. Newly constructed habitats will house injured wildlife and permanent animal residents, and all structures will be designed to withstand severe weather. 

LaPointe said the project follows several difficult years for the organization, including financial and operational challenges. 

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced visitor traffic, which affected donations collected at the entrance. While the center did not close for the entire pandemic, fewer visitors contributed to financial strain. 

More recently, hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton caused wind damage and flooding at the facility. 

“We lost four residents,” LaPointe said, noting that the stress of relocating animals after storm damage contributed to their deaths. Wildlife was temporarily housed by volunteers throughout the area while facilities were repaired. 

Ahead of Hurricane Ian, staff evacuated animals as wind damage toppled enclosures. Later storms, including Helene and Milton, caused extensive flooding. The wildlife center’s hospital in downtown Punta Gorda was inundated, resulting in the loss of major appliances, medical supplies, food and other necessities. 

The new facility will be designed to better withstand such events. Buildings will be elevated 9 feet, placing them 10 feet above sea level to reduce the risk of flooding. The current buildings at Ponce de Leon Park are not elevated. 

BRJ Restoration of Punta Gorda will construct the new center, which is expected to be completed by the end of September. 

The wildlife center has already spent about $1.3 million on the project, including roughly $30,000 to remove concrete from the site. Total construction costs are projected at $6 million, LaPointe said. 

Fundraising efforts continue. A donor who has not yet been identified recently contributed $250,000 for naming rights to the Maintenance and Care building. Additional naming opportunities remain available.