Future Of New Educational Discovery Center Becomes Cloudy Amidst Delays and Rising Costs

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

It was less than ninety days ago that the shovels were placed in the ground at the site of what would become the new Educational Discovery Center at Brady’s Run Park, a state-of-the-art facility that would showcase the ways that Beaver County excels in environmental efficiency and recycling practices.

However, as was made the focal point of the latest Commissioners’ work session, the progress of the Educational Discovery Center is at a standstill due to several major factors. The discussion about the feasibility of the EDC’s construction laid heavily on the fact that the project will require nearly double the initial cost expected, jumping from roughly $4 million to over $8 million.

Waste Management director Becca Naber, who is overseeing the project following former director Holly Vogt’s departure, faced a flurry of questions from the Commissioners and Row Officers regarding the project, which she stated was dealing with a floodplain issue at the site located along Park Road.

One person at the meeting who disclosed her concern about the cost was controller Maria Longo, who felt that taxpayers would not want to front that bill.

“The fact we’re still considering eight-and-a-half million for an Environmental Center without considering how much man power the County’s going to have to pay for…and all the other stuff…I’m a taxpayer, I still can’t believe we’re considering this,” Longo stated. She added that the aftermath of reassessment and an increase in bills would lead taxpayers to develop a similar sourness.

Naber countered by stating that the adjusted cost estimates for the project have inflation considered into the final numbers, noting that grant funding–if acheived–could help reduce any or all of the brunt that taxpaying citizens would have to deal with.

Commissioner Tony Amadio said that the best way to approach the current situation is to proceed cautiously, considering that costs may inflate even higher.