Friday, December 22, 2006

Media Release 12.2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Theresa Mitchell Barbo:  774.263.4219

PCCS Marine Lab Nears Completion

$3.5-million Capital Campaign Still Underway

(Provincetown, Cape Cod, MA) – Construction of the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies’ new Marine Laboratory was completed this month with the installation of a new roof at the 11,300-square-foot Marine Lab.  The Lab, located at 5 Holway Avenue, served as a Catholic school for St. Peter the Apostle Church from 1964-1985 and as an annex to Provincetown High School from 1985 to 2005.  Once the site work and landscaping are finished and the building is hooked up to the new sewer line, PCCS Executive Director Peter Borrelli expects that the total cost of acquisition and restoration will come to $2.7 million.

All science, research and education staff members of the Center are located at the Marine Lab.  An 850-square foot library on the upper level and 1,500-square-foot conference on the lower level are available for public use. 

Energy efficiency drove design and construction.  PCCS incorporated many green elements and the project has achieved 85-90% of so-called “green” architectural standards. 

Energy-efficient lighting and motion sensors, “green” carpet squares made from recycled materials are themselves recyclable, insulated glass to replace all exterior windows and doors, a heavily insulated roof, and a propane heating system have brought the building, constructed in 1964, into the modern energy era.  Borrelli noted that even the walls of the former school building were without insulation.

Borrelli added that the renovation project had been smoothly and efficiently-managed from beginning to end.  Workers have described it as a “happy job.”  Borrelli credited the Cambridge-based firm LDa Architects and the Acella Construction Company for their cooperation and dedication to the project.

The Center’s current plan is to maintain its administrative headquarters at 115 Bradford Street next to Town Hall.  “The building,” said Borrelli, “has become an important fixture of the downtown area.  In the spring we hope to use some of the surplus space created when some staff were relocated to the Marine Lab as a visitor information center for those who want to learn more about the marine environment of the region.”

An official opening and dedication ceremony is scheduled for June 21, 2007.

“Although Provincetown’s local Little Big Dig has run smoothly, our Coastal Campaign is still underway,” reminded Borrelli.  Our goal is to raise an additional $1million to endow the laboratory and core programs.  We are reaching out to all our friends at this point.  My Christmas request of our friends in Provincetown is:  Help Us Finish What You Started,” referring to the nearly unanimous vote of Town Meeting that authorized transfer of the property to the Center.  “The assistance of our hometown means a great deal to us,” he added.

For more information about the Coastal Campaign, contact PCCS at 508.487.3622 extension 104.

’30 Years of Discovery & Commitment’

The Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies was founded in 1976 and is dedicated to researching and protecting marine mammals and marine ecosystems in the Gulf of Maine, through applied research, conservation, environmental and education programs.  Its world-renowned whale disentanglement team operates under a permit from the National Marine Fisheries Service. To learn more about whale disentanglement, and our other programs, visit PCCS on the web at:  www.coastalstudies.org.

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Editors:  For images please contact Theresa Barbo

PCCS Contacts

Theresa Barbo

Director of Communications

ccsmedia@coastalstudies.org

508.487.3622 ext. 103 (o)

774.263.4219 (c)

Tanya Gabettie

Communications Coordinator

tgabettie@coastalstudies.org

508.487.3622 ext. 104