The new Timp Cave visitor’s center is still on schedule, despite government shutdown
Construction work continues at the site of the new visitors center for the Timpanogos Cave National Monument on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, in American Fork Canyon.
Construction on the new Timpanogos Cave National Monument Visitors Center is pictured on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, in American Fork Canyon.
Construction on the new visitor center at the Timpanogos Cave National Monument is pictured on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, in American Fork Canyon.
Construction on the new visitor center at the Timpanogos Cave National Monument is pictured on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, in American Fork Canyon.
The entrance to the construction site for the new visitor center at the Timpanogos Cave National Monument is pictured on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, in American Fork Canyon.
Construction on the new visitor center at the Timpanogos Cave National Monument is pictured on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, in American Fork Canyon.
Despite a 35-day partial federal government shutdown, the new Timpanogos Cave National Monument Visitor’s Center is still on schedule to open about Memorial Day or shortly after.
The new visitor center has been long-awaited, as what was supposed to be a temporary visitor center in a trailer ended up lasting for 27 years.
Construction on the new center was scheduled to take place through the winter, when the cave is closed to visitors anyway. The cave is typically open from approximately Mother’s Day to Labor Day.
Despite the government being partially shut down from Dec. 23 to Jan. 27, construction work on the new center continued. Construction could have ground to a half had the government taken any longer to open, since the contractor is paid on a monthly basis, according to supervisory interpretive ranger, BJ Cluff.
“We are really fortunate (the shutdown) didn’t go any longer,” Cluff said. “Had it gone longer, construction may have fallen behind.”
The contractor for the construction job was able to continue working through the shutdown because the contract had already been awarded, Cluff said. The building is starting to take shape, with rebar and concrete walls making the building start to take shape, though some of the exhibits that were supposed to be featured in the new center may be delayed by the government shutdown, because design work was supposed to happen in January.
While all the full-time park employees were furloughed, construction staff were able to keep in contact with staff at the regional Denver office to keep things moving, Cluff said. The visitor center is now expected to open by Memorial Day or early June.
There were several effects, however, caused by the shutdown. The hiring process for seasonal employees normally starts in January, and has been set behind by the shutdown. Several grants normally applied for by staff in January were not submitted.
“It’s impossible to reclaim 35 days of work,” Cluff said. “We’re all working as quickly as possible to try to finish those things we weren’t able to do.”
Construction on the new visitor center was at the top of the list of priorities, Cluff said, and park staff are extremely happy that it’s still on schedule.
“We are so excited that the public will have a permanent visitor center,” Cluff said. “We are excited to have this.”
