| |
An auditorium was part of the original Craig Thomas
Discovery and Visitor Center plan, but was removed in an effort to reduce the overall cost of the facility. In
August 2006, Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne visited Grand Teton National Park and agreed with the Foundation
that the auditorium was vital to a visitor's overall experience. He recommended that the project proceed as
originally planned. Once the approval process was complete, the Foundation extended its capital campaign and
is currently raising the additional $2.5 million needed from the private sector.
|
|
The new 100-150-seat auditorium will echo the existing facility’s architecture,
materials, and aesthetic spaces and encompass approximately 3,000 square feet.
The room will accommodate a variety of functions from interpretive films to
public and private evening programs.
Envisioned as a space that will anchor the visitor experience with an ongoing
Discovery film featuring the photography of Ansel Adams, historic images,
and new footage of harsh winters, wildlife, visionaries, and today’s
dedicated park staff, the auditorium will bring the Teton Range and its inhabitants
to life on a grand scale. The park also hopes to schedule regular showings
of other high-quality productions that highlight park topics such as wolves,
grizzlies, the Muries, and mountaineering for those who wish to dig deeper
into the park’s history and wildlife. Along with ranger-led hikes and
campfire programs, the film lineup offers yet another way to connect visitors
with the park.
Other than the exhibit area, there is currently no venue in the visitor center
to accommodate the needs of large groups of people, such as tour or convention
groups. The auditorium will be perfectly sized to host crowds who are traveling
together and wish to attend a presentation, a film, or a reception as a private
group. Community organizations, the park, and schools can also utilize the
space for special programming.
The auditorium is scheduled to open in spring 2009.
|