Elachee animal exhibit gets makeover

GAINESVILLE - After 20 years, it was time for the live animal exhibit at Elachee Nature Science Center to get an "extreme makeover," and thanks to some generous community volunteers, the facelift should be complete by the end of the month.

Animals from the exhibit have been moved to a downstairs area of the building while the work takes place, according to Elachee Executive Director Andrea Timpone.

Timpone said that the work will continue over the next several days, and the exhibit should be ready for visitors by the end of August.

Home Depot staff from the Spout Springs Road store donated their time to the effort earlier this week, assisting with prep-work in the exhibit area and the live animal office. In addition, local artists, including an employee from the Home Depot store, worked to freshen the mural for the exhibit.

Todd Metcalf, the assistant manager for the Spout Springs Home Depot location noted that Behr Paint donated paint for the project.

In addition to the painting, new electrical circuitry and lighting will enhance the exhibit; that work was done as a result of a special grant bestowed on Elachee.