Se7en Wetlands (500 W. Carter Rd.), a ‘wetland treatment system’ owned and operated by the City of Lakeland is set to develop a new Education and Welcome Center. Made up of 1,600 acres of, well, wetlands, the property will soon produce a 5,000 sq. ft. building with the hopes to inform and educate visitors to the facility.
Rendering courtesy of Straughn Trout Architects
Upon its conception in the 1980s, Se7en Wetlands has led a conscious example for other cities to treat their wastewater in such a way that is natural and can house a diverse population of both plants and animals – all while remaining efficient. And, with the funding received last year from the State, the wastewater treatment facility will eventually transition into a park for locals and visitors to learn all of the goings-on within the wetlands after its official opening to the public in 2018.
Currently, approval from City Commissioners was granted to Straughn Trout Architects to design documents for the construction of the new center. And, according to Lkld Now, upon completion, the Welcome and Education Center will hold “an outdoor classroom area, amphitheater-style seating, and a rainwater harvesting system.”
At this time, an exact opening date is yet to be determined with final documents to be completed before 2021.