Today we are enjoying nature at the Wellfield Gardens over in Elkhartand I have with us Eric.

Eric, thank you so muchfor joining us today.

You guys.

If you can't hear it yet behind us, you'll hear itwhile we're talking.

But there's a lot ofconstruction going.

There is a lot of constructiongoing on.

This is our new visitorcenter expansion project, which includes a 12,000 squarefoot visitor center, a pavilion that will be great for openair concerts.

We'll have cover for 300 peopleevents and different, receptions and things like that.

Of course, one thingif you've ever been to Wellfield before, you knowwe need more parking.

Yes.

And so this is great.

We will have more.A real parking lot.

And for those of youwho've been here before, you might notice that this iswhere the cottage used to be.

And now the cottage is relocatedas a part of this project.

Okay, so this is all over here.

Now, this is the cottage and this has been relocatedabout 150ft.

Not very far, but it.

Well, of course,we're in Elkhart County.

This is theyou know, we're in the RV and manufactured homecapital of the world.

So why would itnot be a manufactured home?

It was literally lifted.

A new foundationwas created to set it up.

It's literallythe exact same building.

It's literally the same buildingthat was lifted and moved and a three point turnand put into place.

It's super cool.

So you guys are goingto be expanding the space here?

Yes.

What does that meanfor the gardens themselves?

So this is part of our greatersustainability and also the abilityto do our mission better.

One of the things that we havelacked is indoor space and the ability to have eventsthroughout the year.

we rely a lot of, we have a lotof weddings and receptions and other community eventsthat during the winter months October, November,December, January, February, March and April, dependingdepending on the weather.

That's right.

And so during those times,we have always had to send folks to somewhere else,another level of location.

And now we will have thatlovely location and it'sgoing to be absolutely gorgeous.

I can'twait to show you the inside.

So what are the thingsthat you're looking to includein the visitor center?

Yeah,so within the visitor center, we have, an event spacethat will be suitable for up to a little over 200 guestsseated for, dinner or a banquet.

We are going to havea little staff suite.

So this is, very minimal.

this is not meant to bean administrative center.

It's just the staffthat are associated with this buildingand our programs.

We're going to have a really nice kitchenthat we can use for catering.

Of course, more restrooms, a little gift shop,a little grab and go cafe.

And one of the best views thatyou'll ever see in this area.

And it is it bringsyou all the way through.

So this is really lessabout the building itself, and it's more about the experience of comingto Wellfield Botanic gardens.

We were reminded when we were, when we were designing thisthat we are a garden and we want to make sureand bring the outside in through a lot of the featuresthat you'll see plants indoors as well,probably no plants, but you will be able to see thembecause there's so much glass and we'll even see.

I think from the entryyou'll literally be able to seethrough the entire building.

So when someonepulls into the parking lot and they are approachingour visitor center, they will actually be ableto see all the way through the garden.

Oh, I love thatwe have this beautiful new boardwalkthat will take you across.

but it's a fantastic space.

And of course, the pavilion, of course, more restrooms, a green roomfor whether it's brides or concertsand things like that.

It's got storage, for the furniturethat we'll have out here.

But really, it'sa wonderful space that will be able to gather 5 to 800 people,plus a true garden space.

So you guys again,remember the big plan for the garden space, too?That's right.

We're we got to remember, what really madeWellfield what it is.

And of course,that's the community.

This will allow us to engage the communityeven more than we ever have.

And it's very exciting.

And it's onlybecause of the community and the generosityof so many individuals.

Keeping in mind, Wellfield is 100% privatelyfunded for our operations.

And, about 90% ofthis is all privately funded.

So it's a $14million construction project that has been underway and is scheduled to wrap upstill toward the end of this yearin November.

Okay.

That'swhat makes it very exciting.

Very exciting.

Yeah.

Okay.

Yeah.

All right.

Well, I would to check out some ofthat space because you guys have let's do it coming up.

We do.

It's already started.

In fact we we are actually airingon Thursday night the same time.

That's right.They grooving in the gardens.

We have our Groovinin the gardens concert series.

We actually started last week.

We got rained out,but we're really looking forward to kicking it off this Thursdaywith, Jazz Fest.

Okay.

And and actually going, Thursday nightsall the way up into August and then taste of the Gardenson August 25th.

Kind of a culminating eventfor us in the summer.

Well, how about we go check out Let's Do Itconstruction in the garden.

Awesome.All right, let's do that.

So as we'recoming in the entrance, this is actually whereyou'll run right into our, admissions desk.

So there'll be some.

Yeah, it'skind of a rounded counter.

So you know that wherewhere the camera is right there.

It's coming right through there.

But the cool thing about this is it is all counter seated height.

So our staff will actually beseated behind at two reasons.

One, it'sa little more inclusive for those who might be coming ina wheelchair.

It's also great for families with kids, and kidsdon't have to feel like they're always below the counter.

But also it won't blockthe amazing views that we have, which I canall the way over here, the visitor center,which is really, really cool.

And so what it was mentioningabout the the natural bringing, bringing the outside in,you're seeing that right there.

It's like an extension.

And of course above us is a 30ftdiameter skylight that is literally allowingthis entire space to have, natural light, which, of course,we have a cloudy day today.

We're filming that, but therecertainly could be days where you're in hereand you might need sunglasses.

Oh, yeah.

That's okay.

That.

Well, I love to thatyou have a lot of accessibility that you guys have considerinto the design for that.

Yes.

Absolutely.

So then the guests would bewelcomed around this direction.

Okay.

Again This is the real featureof this building.

This isand this is that grand hall.

And this is a space that hasa north room and a south room that will be able to openand close with glass doors.

So there's folding doorsthat cover each one of these sections.

And so when we open it all up,that's when we can get up to about 210 people.If we maximize the space.

And what a view it ishere, it's fantastic.

And I the cool thingthat you really can't get a sense for right now,you see out the window, you actually see a boardwalkat the end of July.

That little damthat's out there holding the water back will be removed, and the water actually comesright up to the building.

Oh my gosh.

So when you're standing at that windowright where that lift is and there'ssome gentleman outside, they would be standing in waterat that point.

Oh that's really, really cool.

But you can seejust how much light and glass there'll be doors on both sides that lead out to, private patio that will be in additionto each one of these spaces.

And so it's going to make it areally, really cool event space.

So much thought went intothe design of us very much so.

Well, when can peoplestart to visit this space?

This space will be open.

The target is to be doneby the end of November, end of November,and if things go on track, we may get to that point.

And if not,we'll make it work as well.

So either way,there's lots of stuff to do.

Either we're here at work.That's right.

And we've been pretty adaptableover the years.

Yeah.

And something's always bloomingand something's always growing.

Absolutely.

Yeah.

Thank you so much for showinga bit around the new.

Yeah it's very noisy here.

If you can’t tell.

But they're doing somegreat work.

They are doing some great work.

Thank you.

So we are nowstanding in the pavilion which is coming along nicelyif I do say.

Jen, thanks very muchfor joining me.

First.

You guys have big plansfor this, including a Groovinin the Summer concert series, which is already happeninghere, right?

Yes, right nowStephen Perry is playing.

Oh, and like right now, whileyou are, you're watching this.

And then at 830 we're goingto have Dave Bennett as well.

We're so excited.

Awesome.

And you guys have a varietyof artists playing this year.

do you want to talk about those?

we got a little bit of somethingfor everyone right now.

Oh, all of our concerts aregoing to be on Thursday night.

Okay.

Will open at six.

Music will start at seven.

Okay.

And then you can buy our tickets online at Wellfield Garden.

Org.

Or you can buy them at the gatefor that night as well.

That's perfect.

And I know the cafewon't be ready quite yet.

Yes, we will have Navarrecatering for the concert.

Okay, perfect.

And then we'll also have Vanilla Bean Creameryor the Chief ice cream will be there every other week.I love it.

So let's look at this pavilion.

Is this going to bewhere the stage will be once the pavilion is finished?

Yes, the stage will be up here and then all of the seatingwill be just behind me.

That's fantastic.

And how many people do you thinkthe pavilion is going to hold?

300.

300?

Yeah.

That's incredible.So it's such a great space.

It's covered too.

I knowthat's going to be so nice.

No more times.

It'll be under the pavilionand the concert series that you guys have nowit is rain or shine.

Yes.

Okay, so even if it's, I guess maybe notif it's severe weather, because I think your first one got our firstone did get rained out, but we're excitedto get back into it this week, especiallykicking off Elkhart Jazz Fest.

It's going to bean absolutely amazing night and all of the concertsare family friendly.

Yes, all of the concertsare family friendly.

Bring the kids and you might want to also bring for right nowat least your own chairs.

Yes, I will bring your ownchairs, blankets, maybe an umbrellaif we say it's going to rain, but we're hoping for shineand rain.

And I know thatwe've been in this heat spell, so make sure everyone doesstay hydrated during that.

But there is so much to seeand do here.

I'm really excitedfor this pavilion coming out.

and it'll be done for next year.

Groovin in the garden series.

Yes, okay.

Next year Groovin in the gardenswill be under the pavilion.

Awesome, awesome.

But for now, people can enjoy the series this yearuntil middle of August.

Yes, August 15th is our lastconcert.

Will have a taste of the gardenson August 25th.

Awesome!

So much to seeand do here at Botanic Gardens.

We hope that you check it out.

Lots of new constructionhappening, but still plenty of tranquilityout in the garden.

So we'll see you here.