fate of South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center?

Many birders visit South Padre Island when they venture to south Texas -- and for good reason. The Gulf Coast island draws an incredible variety of species, especially during migration.


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The island's convention center and boardwalk lure innumerable birders, and the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center meant to serve them with three boardwalks; a building containing an information desk, a gift shop, restrooms and a small auditorium; and an observation tower.

Hurricane Dolly, however, arrived on July 23 during the center's construction, and the water soaked metal supports that have rusted now. Now, the center's progress is in question. The question: repair or rebuild?

Railing on the boardwalk was also damaged, but that has been repaired.

In the meantime, some work is continuing, including scaffolding on the observation tower.

For now, [Cate] Ball is a staff of one working out of her home. She will eventually hire a staff.

The building was supposed to open last month, she said, but now, "I have no clue on a date."

Whatever decision is made, Ball said the center will open in 2009.