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Please remember that while connects the original rehabili- South Padre Island classes are held for both residents
our sandcastles love to be viewed, tation center to the new facili- Convention Centre and visitors. Classes during the
and have their picture taken, ties, which includes six aquar- The South Padre Island winter months are held for our
they are vulnerable to human ium-style tanks, an amphithe- Convention Centre, with its Winter Texans, and classes dur-
hands. Please look as long as you ater, indoor museum display and breathtaking view of the Laguna ing the summer include a very
like and flash those cameras, but larger gift shop. The new facility Madre Bay, offers 45,000 square popular kid’s camp. The lab is
please do not touch. not only enhances the Island, feet of meeting space that can open to the public for self-guid-
Schlitterbahn Beach but potentially makes Sea Turtle, be utilized in a variety of con- ed tours Monday through Friday
Waterpark Inc. the premier sea turtle facility figurations. The Convention 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., and is also
Splash into more than a in the United States. Located at Centre has recently undergone open for group tours, by appoint-
dozen water attractions, includ- 6617 Padre Blvd., the facility is a multi-million dollar renova- ment only, Monday through
ing slides, tube chutes, uphill open Tuesday through Sunday, tion, which has strengthened the Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. For
more information, or to schedule
water coasters, the Sand Castle 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. For more buildings structure, improved its a tour, call 956.761.2644, email
water fun house and the Boogie information call 956.761.4511 or functionality, and increased its coastal@utrgv.edu or go to their
Bahn surfing ride. A river links go to seaturtleinc.com. If you aesthetic value. Primary facilities website at www.utrgv.edu/csl
2
the tube chutes and water coast- see a sea turtle, call the TURTLE include an unobstructed 22,500
ers with the park’s beaches, so HOTLINE at 956.380.9677. square feet of Exhibit Hall space Whaling Wall #53
guests float between rides on South Padre Island with a clear ceiling height of Another stunningly beautiful
water. There’s also the Shrimp Birding and Nature 36 feet for large meetings and site to see at the Convention
Haus, a year-round, full-service Center sporting events; a 2,633 square Centre is the famous “Whaling
restaurant. Open weekends The South Padre Island feet conference auditorium; with Wall #53” by acclaimed environ-
beginning late April; open daily Birding and Nature Center is 8 breakout rooms for concurrent mental artist Wyland. Wyland
mid-May through late August, located on the north end just sessions and 9,000 total square wanted to show homage to
and open weekends only late south of the South Padre Island feet of breakout space. whales and other creatures of
August through mid-September. Convention Centre at 6801 Padre The South Padre Island the sea by devoting his talent
For more information call 956- Boulevard. The facility includes a Convention Centre is a pre- to painting 100 walls across the
772-SURF or go to www.schlitter 10,000 square foot Nature Center mier destination venue to book world. His “Whaling Walls” serve
bahn.com with an exhibit hall that takes your next meeting, convention, as a perfect way to capture the
Sea Turtle, Inc. visitors on an educational voy- concert, special event, athletic grandeur of his subjects since
drawing giant whales on small
Turtles have feelings too. Did age from the waters of the Gulf competition or much more! Call canvases became extremely
you know that picking a turtle up of Mexico, through the dunes 800-OK-PADRE or email info@ limiting. The walls of the South
by its shell without supporting on our beautiful beaches and sopadre.com Padre Island Convention Centre
the tummy is like being lifted into the Laguna Madre Bay. The University of Texas Rio provided the 53rd life size canvas
by our finger, toe nails or hair? Center also features an auditor- Grande Valley Coastal for the Wyland project; the first
Founded by Illa Loetscher, affec- ium, a gift shop, a public meeting Studies Lab of its kind in Texas, and along the
The Coastal Studies Lab locat-
tionately known as the “Turtle room, a five (5) story observa- ed at Isla Blanca Park, on South entire Gulf Coast. Spanning 153
Lady”, this enviro-friendly organ- tion tower and over 3,500 linear Padre Island, was established in feet in length, covering 3 walls
ization is dedicated to caring for feet of boardwalks with numer- 1973, and is dedicated to pro- and 23 feet in height, it took
and educating the public about ous observation decks that allow viding educational opportunities, over 111 gallons of paint, 100
endangered sea turtles. A 20 visitors to watch and photo- enhancing research, engaging volunteers, and nearly four days
year dream of Executive Director graph a host of birds, fish, turtles, in public service, and providing to complete.
Jeff George and Dr. Patrick butterflies, dragonflies and liz- community outreach related to To view this magnificent wall
Burchfield, a major expansion ards, as well as our resident alli- coastal and marine concerns in 24 hours a day stop by the SPI
became a reality in February gator—Allowishes. the Gulf of Mexico with spe- Convention Centre at 7355 Padre
2018 when a new $6 million For more information about cial emphasis on the South Texas
Education Center opened to the the South Padre Island Birding region. The lab exhibits marine Blvd. J
public. The expansion brings an and Nature Center, see page 45, life such as crustaceans and mar-
additional 30,000 square feet call 956-761-6801 or www.spi ine vertebrates, and plant life.
to their location. A boardwalk birding.com Throughout the year, educational
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