FOLEY - The Graham Creek Nature Preserve will soon be receiving two brand new pavilions that will be used for an interesting purpose.
Plans were revealed on Monday, June 5, for two new pavilions …
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FOLEY - The Graham Creek Nature Preserve will soon be receiving two brand new pavilions that will be used for an interesting purpose.
Plans were revealed on Monday, June 5, for two new pavilions that the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety is looking to build that will be used to both educate and study. As stated in the construction and use agreement: “IBHS desires constructing two structures hereafter identified as “Pavilions” for the purpose of monitoring and testing various components of roofing materials for strength, durability, and longevity. The City desires Pavilions at the Graham Creek Nature Preserve facility for the use and enjoyment of the public using the facility.”
“It’s a fairly simple agreement,” said councilman Charlie Ebert. “The IBHS is going to build the two structures, and the city will be responsible for normal routine maintenance and vandalism. But as far as the IBHS’ actual equipment, we’re not responsible for vandalism.”
Leslie Gahagan, Foley’s Environmental Manager, has already identified the two locations on which the pavilions will be built. Each structure will be 15x30, and the equipment belonging to IBHS will be stored in an enclosed attic that will be included on both structures. The equipment helps recreate the actual environment due to heating in the area, which will allow the IBHS to study the useful life of different types of asphalt shingles.
“They’ve been looking to put some of those shingles in the coastal environment, and this will house the testing equipment inside,” Ebert said. “Then they’ll have some small solar panels that they’ll put outside, and they’ll put a fence around that, which will power the equipment so it will all be powered via solar.”
During the testing period, IBHS will have full access to Graham Creek where the pavilions are located. They plan to not only construct the pavilions, but also maintain, collect, sample, and test the roofing materials that they wish to study.
Graham Creek and IBHS also plan to post signage around the pavilions detailing the research that will be going on inside, so that school kids and their families can see the tests as well and be part of the learning experience.
