WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - The River Bend Nature Center has made its first move in its renovation process with the construction of a new roof for the Ruby N. Priddy Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. This comes as part of the center’s conservatory and terrace renovation project.

The previous roof made it difficult for the center to insure the building and also presented issues when paired with Wichita Falls' weather.

“The building behind me is 18 years old and there’s lots of issues with it, specifically leaks and erosion issues. So the, the goal is to mitigate utility costs and to make sure that that building stays insurable,” executive director Jennica Lambert said.

The project will also include new fans to help better regulate temperatures in the glass conservatory and new interactive exhibits for guests.

“We’re putting in two different water tables, one all about the water cycle and one all about STEM, so science, technology, engineering, math. There’s vortexes and balls and all kinds they can learn, and then at the bottom are going to be putting it in a like an indoor classroom, along with, again, more, more exhibits. So there’s going to be a lot more to see,” Lambert said.

The project is completely funded by donations, with contributions from the Priddy Foundation, Bryant Edwards Foundation, J.S. Bridwell Foundation and the Fain Foundation, along with several other benefactors.

Once finished, the project is expected to cost the center $2.2 million.

The conservatory roof is expected to be completed between May and June.