Renovations Begin at SERC

Date: April 10, 2006
Contact: Jim Vekasi, [phone]

Winter Harbor, ME. The National Park Service has awarded a $3 million contract to P&S Construction for the construction of an auditorium at the Schoodic Education and Research Center (SERC) in Acadia National Park, according to Sheridan Steele, Superintendent. The National Park Service is converting the former navy base at Schoodic to the Schoodic Education and Research Center (SERC), and the auditorium is the first major building renovation since the U.S. Navy transferred the property in July 2002.

The auditorium will be a centerpiece for SERC providing critical meeting and lecture space for researchers and students of all ages. The 6,800-square foot building, designed by Oest Associates of South Portland, will contain a 125-seat auditorium and flexible meeting space for up to 100 people. It will employ state of the art audio-visual and telecommunications equipment.

Project funds for this phase of the adaptive reuse of the former Navy base are from a collaboration of the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment, the State of Maine, and the National Park Service (entrance fee revenues from Acadia NP). The auditorium will incorporate the existing foundation and utility system of the former commissary building. The cost to overcome the commissary’s low ceiling, building code deficiencies, and other constraints made demolishing most of the existing building a better value. The construction contract also includes new parking and landscaping around the building. The National Park Service expects the new facility to be completed by the end of 2006 with work commencing the week of April 10.

The National Park Service is partnering with the nonprofit organization, Acadia Partners for Science and Learning, to manage the auditorium along with food and lodging facilities at SERC. The mission of SERC is to facilitate education and research that promotes the understanding, protection, and conservation of the natural and cultural resources of the National Park System, and advances related research at the regional, national, and international levels.

The National Park Service awarded the contract to P&S Construction under the provisions of section 8(A) of the Small Business Act, which created a program administered by the Small Business Administration to help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the American economy. P&S Construction is headquartered in Lowell, Massachusetts, with offices in Bangor, Maine.