Neosho National Fish hatchery New Visitor Center

Located in southwest Missouri, Neosho is the oldest operational fish hatchery in the country. The $3 million new 9,200-square-foot visitors center can accommodate 100,000 visitors per year and enhances environmental education and interpretive opportunties. The LEED Silver certified facility provides education about aquatic resources, and at the same time enhances the energy-efficiency of daily hatchery operations.

IMEG engineers provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, architectural lighting, and technology design services for the visitor center as part of an IDIQ Contract for A/E services.
The visitor center serves as a focal point of the campus, which contains several hatching ponds, a sturgeon building, and freshwater stream. The exhibit area has a custom-built aquarium, scenery, and displays for guests. A bookstore, wet lab, and other amenities are available to visitors on the first floor. The second floor houses administrative staff and includes offices, conference room, kitchen, and other areas dedicated to staff functions.

The center is served by a vertical-bore, closed-loop, 40-ton geothermal system with water-air heat pumps for the occupied spaces. It also includes photovolatic solar panels on the roof.