Page 3 - 2018 NOV/DEC Outdoor Oklahoma

Panoramas

s this magazine issue lands in your hands, the peo- ing. Additionally, a 7,825-square-foot warehouse was built
ple who serve you from the Oklahoma City offices on site to replace a current off-site warehouse.
of the Wildlife Department are moving back into After the most competitive bidding process for a state
Aour newly renovated headquarters building in the building construction project in nearly a decade, the Wildlife
State Capitol complex. Department hired CMS Willowbrook in June
The original building was quite remarkable 2016 as construction manager, and the Wild-
when it was built back in 1966. And remark- life Commission approved the approximately
able it is again, after a renovation lasting two- $16 million project. The project involved nearly
and-a-half years that basically stripped the old 40 subcontractors (all but one based in Okla-
building down to its girders in order to create homa) that submitted the lowest bids among
a fresh start. Paid for with cash on hand from more than 200 bidders.
the proceeds off invested license sales, and not Now the renovation is a reality. The head-
with any taxes, the new headquarters building quarters is modern, accessible, fitness-ori-
is designed to showcase what our hunters, ented, energy-efficient, safe, leak-proof and
anglers and great outdoors have to offer. technologically advanced. A three-story
But that wasn’t the original plan. waterfall and fish aquariums anchor the pub-
It was back in May 2013 when a torrential storm hit the lic lobby area, primarily funded with a $500,000 private
area around the Capitol. It proved to be more than the origi- donation from the Mary K. Stewart Estate. Wildlife and fish
nal half-century-old building could handle. Significant water exhibits provide conservation education opportunities for
damage occurred, especially in parts of the lobby and the visitors, as well as inspiration for Oklahoma’s next generation
auditorium where meetings were held. of hunters and anglers.
Soon, the process of assessing the damage and estimating We here at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Con-
repair costs began. And with a building of such age, many servation hope that every sportsman and sportswoman of
unforeseen obstacles were revealed. New building codes, the state will take great pride in this new facility, because it
compliance with ADA requirements, and even asbestos really belongs to them. They can take pride knowing that not
removal all began adding to the potential repair bill. one penny of tax money was spent on this project. And they
Eventually it became evident that the cost to repair the old can take pride that the new building was funded without the
building had risen to the point that a major renovation was Department incurring any debt.
more practical for the long term. The idea to use the original Oklahoma’s new Capitol fish and wildlife showplace demon-
building’s “skeleton” instead of all-new construction turned strates your commitment to management and conservation of
out to be a smart one, saving over a million dollars. the state’s wildlife resources and habitats now and for many
Beck Design won the contract as project architect in 2015 generations to come. For that, we are grateful. Come see us!
after a competitive selection process that included a design
contest. Beck submitted a stunning plan that included a Sincerely,
strong educational component for the Wildlife Department’s
outdoor-oriented constituents.
Since 1966, the staff housed in the headquarters building
has grown by 50 percent. This was addressed by adding Melinda Sturgess-Streich,
13,635 square feet to the original 24,768-square-foot build- Assistant Director, Administration and Finance