![]() The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center was founded in 1984, and our original mission as the Friends of Gumbo Limbo was born. Whatever your connection with Gumbo Limbo, we wanted to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit more about all the incredible parties that join together to preserve our coasts, and where Gumbo Limbo Coastal Steward organization fits within the greater coastal conservation picture. Maybe you’re a recent transplant who found inspiration in our little sea turtle rehabilitation community. Perhaps you gained a love of the coasts as a child from field trips to the nature center. “I feel like the $3.22 million we have reserved, we should stick with in hopes that the City and FAU and Friends can find a way of coming up with the additional funds,” Commissioner Bob Rollins said.You may have passed by the complex of buildings down A1A a hundred times. The City of Boca Raton, which owns and operates the facility, could also elect to contribute to the project. The organization boasted more than $3 million in reserves on its most recent (2019) federal tax return. FAU's research team located at Gumbo Limbo uses a considerable amount of the saltwater pumped into the facility.įriends of Gumbo Limbo, a non-profit that resides within the facility, represents another potential source for funding the cost overrun. The City of Boca Raton has several other potential sources it could tap if additional funding of the pumps and piping project is required.Īn agreement between the City and FAU allows the school to use Gumbo Limbo for research and includes a mechanism for FAU to help pay for maintenance and upkeep of the facilities. “We understand that it needs to be done but we also want to be sure that the taxpayers aren't paying more than what we budgeted for. “I'm fully supportive of the project,” Commissioner Erin Wright said. The City now now expects the cost to exceed its own projection by nearly half-a-million dollars. The District budgeted $3.22 million to cover the project's entire cost based on a 2020 funding request from the City, which will manage the project. “We are completely committed to Gumbo Limbo,” Commissioner Craig Ernst said. In addition, the District set aside more than $4.6 million for Gumbo Limbo capital improvements during the current fiscal year that include this pumping project, upgrades to a roof, air conditioning unit and windows at the facility, and construction of a new observation tower. The District funds Gumbo Limbo's yearly operating expenses under the guidance of an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Boca Raton that dates back to the mid 1980s. At the moment the District is the sole entity that has approved funding the replacement of antiquated pumping equipment. The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center exists as a partnership between the City of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University, the Friends of Gumbo Limbo and the District. The center hosts facilities for endangered sea turtles, native fish and other marine life for research and educational purposes. Located between the Intracoastal waterway and A1A, Gumbo Limbo pumps saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean to tanks within the facility that house marine life. “Gumbo Limbo is a vital part of our recreational community and the District has committed more than $3 million to this project.” ![]() “We support the mission of the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in general and this project in particular,” District Chair Susan Vogelgesang said. BOCA RATON – Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District Commissioners reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center on Monday while also stewarding responsible spending of taxpayer money.Ĭommissioners unanimously approved a motion at Monday's meeting to spend the $3.222 million budgeted for the 2020-21 fiscal year to repair and upgrade saltwater pumps and piping at Gumbo Limbo.
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