Georgia prepares to Go Fish!
October 7, 2010 – Located on approximately 120 acres at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, Georgia’s Go Fish Education Center is the cornerstone of a statewide effort to promote and enhance boating and fishing tourism, and to boost economic development in communities across the state. This week, the state’s new fish hatchery and education center opened its doors.
Several hundred people attended the event, including Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue. “Fishing is an important part of my childhood and an activity that I still enjoy today. The Go Fish Georgia Initiative encourages families to spend time outdoors together making memories that will last a lifetime,” said the governor. “It also will allow us to improve our fishing resources and boat access, drawing more tourists and professional anglers into our state to fish which will have a positive economic impact in many rural areas.”
The 30,000-square-foot building features interactive exhibits, a classroom and the fish hatchery. It is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors annually, generating a $6.3 million economic impact for HoustonCounty.
The 30,000-square-foot center features a 15,000-square-foot visitor’s center that promotes fishing opportunities throughout the state, an on-site public fishing pond and a full functioning freshwater hatchery to enhance fish populations in the state’s lakes, ponds and reservoirs. Additionally, the center provides extensive educational experiences for visitors, fish and wildlife exhibits, state-of-the-art theaters and a nature trail.
The fish and wildlife exhibits feature both interactive and live elements that depict natural habitats found in and around Georgia’s waterways. It features exhibits on rivers, reservoirs, trout streams, coastal waters and, of course, MontgomeryLake, where the world record largemouth bass was caught. There are live habitat exhibits as well as a trophy fish display depicting Georgia’s biggest and best catches.
The new state-of-the-art fish hatchery is an essential element of the center and will be open to the public. Existing state hatchery facilities are operating at maximum capacity and the new facility will allow for the production of additional forage fish to stock Georgia’s waterways and increase sport fish growth rate. Research at this facility, which also will be open to the public, will ensure that fish stocked in Georgia waters are genetically superior.
Quick Facts
- Design Professional: Lyman, Davidson & Dooley
- General Contractor: Juneau Construction Company
- GSFIC Project Manager: David Felts
- GSFIC Contract Compliance Specials: Billy Carr
- This Building is LEED-certified.