Building Addition to EB Lyons Interpretive Center

We are so close! We almost have the money we need to build the addition to the E. B. Lyons Interpretive Center at the Mines of Spain Recreation Area which is just adjacent to the southern border of the City of Dubuque. As indicated below, we have raised over 91% of the needed funds toward the project and would like your help in getting us “over the top.”

. Hundreds of programs are held at EB Lyons nature center each year with thousands attending. Most Tri-State school age and college students attend one or more programs there each year. Recently it has become obvious that more space is needed at the Center. Groups and functions have been turned away because of limited space. Also, popular programs are being limited in their size and scope because of this. Valuable learning opportunities for current and potential visitors are being missed.

Therefore, the Friends of the Mines of Spain is planning and coordinating a 7248 square foot Addition that will more than double the current space while maintaining the architectural design of the present structure. The Friends group is also raising the funds for its construction. The Department of Natural Resources has agreed to oversee and direct construction, donate funds for additional parking lot, new well/septic system and to administer and staff facility once it is complete.

Below is a summary of the fundraising to date:
Total Cost Estimate for the Building $1,566,000
Remaining Cost Estimate (after design fees already paid)$1,477,000
Amount Currently Available toward above *$1,352,000
Yet to be raised$125,000

* Please note that included in the above totals is a grant from the Community Attraction Tourism (CAT) Program of Vision Iowa. They pledged $440,000 toward the project on March 11, 2009. Their pledge is however, contingent upon the Friends Group raising the final $125,000 by September 1, 2009.

Please realize that the CAT funds are state funds that are being directed back to this Community through the building of this project.

See Our Video Presentation

Expansion Plan Details

Facts About the Mines of Spain

New EB Lyons Plans:
Addition Upper Level PDF
Addition Lower Level PDF
Addition Elevation PDF

The Friends of the Mines of Spain and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources are proud to announce its plans to build a 6350 square foot addition to the EB Lyons Interpretive Center. With previous growth in program numbers and attendance a need for the addition has been recognized. The two story addition will add much needed space for conferences, programs, dinner, meetings and office space on the upper level and nature labs and storage on the lower level.

The Durant Group of Dubuque has designed the addition to complement the current structure. The project has received the approval of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the City of Dubuque's Park and Recreation Department. Funding will be from private donations, foundations and grants.

We will gladly send you out a donation form.
Request a form by E-mail, just enter your name and address here and we will send one

Printable donation form here

You can donate directly to the Mines of Spain Expansion Project by using Paypal:

Expansion Plan Details

Facts About the Mines of Spain

Download the ExpansionPowerpont Presentation
(Caution this is a large file 45MB)

Download it as a self running presentation (45MB also)

Friends of The Mines of Spain, Dubuque, IA 52003-9214, 563-556-0620

All information contained within, Copyright MMVIII Friends of the Mines of Spain,
with special permission from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources