Exciting news!
Wind River Sage Fund Selects Brunton Architects for the Design of the New Ecotourism Visitors Center in Fort Washakie The Wind River Sage Fund (WRSF) announced today that it selected Brunton Architects of North Mankato, MN to design the new Ecotourism Visitors Center to be located in Fort Washakie. Brunton won the contract after competing with 16 other firms for architectural and engineering services. The new ecotourism visitors complex will feature a 5,500-sq-ft Tribal Fish & Game headquarters that will include a wildlife museum, gift shop, theater, restrooms, and an information desk. A 7,200-sq-ft storage facility will also be constructed to house vehicles and equipment. Construction is expected to begin in 2026. Arthur Lawson is the Director of the Shoshone and Arapaho Tribal Fish and Game. “We are deeply grateful to the U.S. Economic Development Administration for awarding a $6.5 million grant to support the construction of a 5,500-square-foot building for the Tribal Fish and Game Department. For 41 years, since the creation of our game code, the department has worked tirelessly to protect and manage our natural resources without a permanent place to call home. This new facility represents more than just a building – it's a home base for stewardship, education, and the preservation of our way of life.” The Ecotourism Visitors Center is the centerpiece of a much larger strategy to invest in the outdoor recreation infrastructure on the Wind River Reservation. In addition to the EDA Recompete grant, the Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) secured $4 million in grants from the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation. The outdoor recreation grants will focus on improving the facilities and amenities at four lakes, three trailheads, a new multigenerational playground, and revitalized baseball fields, among other projects. Paul F. Huberty, Executive Director of the Wind River Sage Fund, said, “We are very excited to reach this milestone with the new Ecotourism Visitors Center. We were pleased to see such high interest from regional and national A&E firms, and we are looking forward to working with Brunton Architects.” Corey Brunton, CEO of Brunton Architects, said, “We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with tribal leaders and community members on a project of such cultural and regional significance. Our goal is to create a facility that honors tradition while inspiring visitors through design that is both educational and welcoming.” Brunton Architects is an award-winning, multidisciplinary design firm dedicated to creating architecture that enriches lives and reflects the spirit of place. The firm’s portfolio includes tribal, municipal, public safety, medical, civic, educational, cultural, and commercial projects across the nation. For more information, please visit the Wind River Sage Fund at wrsagefund.org and Shoshone and Arapaho Tribal Fish and Game at windriverfishandgame.com.