Jul 262 min read

Calusa Nature Center and Iona House Remain Open While Planetarium Temporarily Closed

Fort Myers, FL —The Calusa Nature Center and Iona House are OPEN and safely welcoming visitors, while the Planetarium is temporarily closed for cleanup from yesterday's minor mercury spill. We will let everyone know when we safely reopen. Thank you all for reaching out to us! We join and thank Lee Health the Fort Myers Fire Department, Hazmat teams and DEP for adhering to only the highest standards of safety for our patrons, friends and families in our community

During our facility's modernization, which includes donating our previous projector to a state college, a small mercury-containing bulb was inadvertently damaged. This incident led to a brief minor spill and exposure affecting three individuals, who were promptly transported to the hospital. The hospital initiated a code orange as a precautionary measure, and we are relieved to hear that all individuals involved were not seriously injured and are doing well.

The Fort Myers Fire Department and Hazmat teams conducted a thorough investigation and inspection. We are working closely with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to ensure all safety protocols are rigorously followed before we can safely reopen.

"Safety is our top priority at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, and for everyone who visits. We are in the midst of a major renovation of the Planetarium, which is scheduled to reopen in September," said Executive Director Eric Raddatz. "We are grateful that there were no serious injuries and are taking every step to ensure that our reopening will be absolutely safe for all."

The building next door, the Calusa Nature Center and on-site Iona House remain unaffected, safe and open to visitors, field trips and summer camps. Renovation efforts at the Planetarium will continue, including a new roof, upgraded seating, new carpeting, and the presentation of some of the finest planetarium-curated films available in Florida.

These enhancements aim to provide a refreshed and elevated experience for all who visit, with a reopening planned for September.

We deeply appreciate the patience and understanding of our community during this time. While the Planetarium will remain closed until all necessary safety inspections are completed, we look forward to showcasing our new features and improvements upon reopening.

For the latest updates, please visit our website or follow us on social media. Media inquiries should be directed to Executive Director Eric Raddatz.