Bathhouse moved to new spot on island

The building, which will serve as the nature center for Honeymoon Island State Park, is moved to a part of the island where it's less likely to be damaged in storms.

DUNEDIN - The hardest part is over.

The renovated bathhouse that will serve as the nature center for Honeymoon Island State Park has been moved to the waterfront of St. Joseph Sound.

And the building will soon be filled with exhibits on the history of the island.

"Things have been progressing very well," said park manager Scott Robinson. "It has taken a lot of commitment from the local community as well as the park service to make things happen in a short time."

The Rotary Centennial Nature Center will open this fall and feature an exhibition hall, classroom space and rotating exhibits on topics such as the formation of the barrier islands and marine life.

Admission will be included in the gate fee, which is $5 per vehicle per day, or $3 for a vehicle with one occupant. Gate fees for people biking, walking or skating are $1. There may be an additional charge for special programs at the nature center, Robinson said.

The Friends of the Island Parks and the two Dunedin Rotary clubs have been working for a year and a half to raise money to turn the bathhouse, which was featured in the movie The Punisher, into a 2,100-square-foot nature center.

With help from the state, other Rotary clubs and public and private donors, the total amount raised comes to $850,000, which should be enough to cover the cost, said Robinson.

The bathhouse was originally on the gulf side of the island. But the building was too close to the water and was in jeopardy every time a storm hit, Robinson said.

Last week, movers relocated it to the back side of the island, where it will overlook tidal flats and sea grasses.

"Seeing that we're housing quite a few computers, electronics, we didn't want to see it washed into the Gulf of Mexico," said Ann Kennedy, an assistant district governor for Rotary.

Robinson said there is more work to be done before the exhibits are installed. The bathhouse needs to be renovated, and stairs, decking and wheelchair ramps need to be added.

Members of the two Dunedin Rotary clubs are eager to see the nature center open. They raised money in celebration of Rotary's 100th anniversary, which was in February.

"This is incredible," said Sallie Parks, who was president of the Dunedin Rotary Club in 2003-04. "It was probably the Rotary Club that was the catalyst for a lot of people to step forward and say, "This is an exciting project that we want to be involved in."

--Megan Scott can be reached at 727 445-4167 or mscott@sptimes.com

© 2005 All Rights Reserved St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright