Pasadena : Eaton Center Aid Pledged

Supervisor Michael Antonovich has pledged that the county will help the community rebuild the Eaton Canyon Nature Center in 18 months.

“Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, the Eaton Canyon Nature Center will be restored to its previous glory, thanks to dedicated efforts of many thousands of caring, concerned people,” he said at a news conference last week near the nature center, which was destroyed in the Oct. 27 Altadena fire.

Officials say it will cost about $2.4 million to rebuild the center, which housed about 40 animals, a nature library and a 186-seat auditorium.

Antonovich said an architect has offered his services free and donors have given $8,000 so far. More 600 individuals and companies have contacted nature center director Mickey Long with offers of help.

In the next few weeks, the county will apply for $2.35 million in federal and state disaster grants to pay for much of the rebuilding, officials said.