The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group is pleased to announce the opening of the new Port Wonder building in Lake Charles, Louisiana. A ribbon-cutting took place on March 20, 2025.
The building is one of the products of the Lake Charles Science Center and Educational Complex project, which was approved by the Louisiana Trustees to address the loss of recreational uses caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The other components include facilities housed within Port Wonder—a nature and science center and a children’s science museum. Those portions of the building are close to completion.
The ribbon-cutting event was attended by a large crowd of local residents, and representatives of the government and non-government partners who came together to make the construction a reality. Partners include the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, City of Lake Charles, and the Children’s Museum of Southwest Louisiana.
Additional compensation for lost recreational use is provided by the site’s outdoor play areas, a covered fishing pier, and walking trails that connect to existing alligator habitat.
The Port Wonder facility measures almost 21,000 square feet and houses both the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Nature and Science Center, a science museum and education facility, as well as the Children’s Museum of Southwest Louisiana at Port Wonder. Both facilities are completing final preparations before opening.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Nature and Science Center, has multiple aquariums, interactive exhibits, a touch tank, a fishing game, and access to fishing along the City of Lake Charles’ boardwalk.
The Children’s Museum of Southwest Louisiana, will give young people hands-on experiences and exhibits that celebrate science, technology, engineering, and arts and mathematics topics. It makes up about two-thirds of the space inside Port Wonder.
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