After years of planning and delays, the Lake Wallenpaupack Visitor’s Center held its grand opening today.

Officials from the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Hawley-Lake Wallenpaupack Chamber of Commerce, Pike and Wayne counties and local municipalities applauded the work of local volunteers and organizations whose hard work finally brought a 20 year all dream to live.

The Center replaces a little green trailer which housed the Visitor’s Center for many years. The new Center allows visitors to book rooms in addition  to finding information about the Lake Region and the area.

Speakers during the grand opening, all noted the hardwork and sense of community that the many groups working on the Center brought to the project. They noted the Project has been a success due to the cooperation the many groups working on it.

Palmyra (P) Township Supervisor Eric Ehrhardt said everyone should be proud of the work they did and the spirit of cooperation they enjoyed to complete the Center.

The new $1 million facility is a partnership of the PMVB, Palmyra Township, Pike County and the Hawley-Lake Wallenpaupack (HLW) Chamber of Commerce. PPL Corporation played a significant role in making this a reality by donating 10 acres of land to the Township, which includes the footprint of the center and The Palmyra Township Public Beach.

Positioned along the shores of Lake Wallenpaupack, this 5,300-square foot building is owned by the PMVB. The PMVB will occupy the main floor with a visitors center and use the building as a satellite office.

The lower level will be the headquarters of the Hawley-Lake Wallenpaupack Chamber of Commerce and the Pike/Wayne constituent office of the Honorable Pennsylvania State Senator Lisa Baker of the 20th Senatorial District.

The grand opening festivities continue until 5 pm today, Saturday April 25 with Outdoor/Indoor Exhibits and Displays,  including Wallenpaupack Area Historical Society, Hensel Collection on Display in the Gallery, PA Fish & Boat Commission, Sculpted Ice Works, Pike County Conservation District and Conservation Partnership, Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management District, PA Route 6 Heritage Corporation and live music on acoustic guitar by John Curtin.

 They will continue, Sunday, April 26 with Wallenpaupack Scenic Boat Tours is offering complimentary scenic boat tours of Lake Wallenpaupack beginning at 1 pm and continuing on the half-hour until 3 pm. Space is limited. Weather permitting.

The Outdoor/Indoor Exhibits and Displays will also continue Sunday from 9 am – 5 pm, including Wallenpaupack Area Historical Society, Hensel Collection on Display in the Gallery, PA Fish & Boat Commission, Pike County Conservation District and Conservation Partnership, Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management District and the PA Route 6 Heritage Corporation.

The Lake Wallenpaupack Visitors Center is one of four Visitors Centers operated by the PMVB and conveniently located in the Pocono Mountains. The public is encouraged to visit the new center, whether a local resident or in town for business or pleasure, and enjoy the lakeside view from the deck and find out all there is to see and do here.

Comprehensive visitor information is available online at www.800poconos.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667).

For more on this story will appear in the Midweek Edition of The News Eagle. For more on other news, see The News Eagle on stands now.