After 20 years of planning the JSU Canyon Center celebrated its Grand Opening on Sunday afternoon at the new facility on Hwy.35 near Fort Payne.

According to Pete Conroy, director of JSU’s Environmental Policy and Information Center, whose involvement with the project began with lobbying for funding back in 1989, the JSU Canyon Center was created for everyone and is also set up to help everyone.

Built on property partially donated by Alabama Power and partially purchased by the university, the JSU Canyon Center will serve as the headquarters of National Park Service personnel serving the district as well as the permanent home for JSU’s Little River Canyon Field School. The building will also provide the community with spaces for meetings, family gatherings, events and celebrations. It will become a place with regularly scheduled educational programs and cultural activities such as concerts and workshops.