TORNADO, W.Va. -- Bill Currey envisions a building powered by hydroelectricity, solar panels and windmills as a way to eliminate the electric bill.

For now, though, he's happy the building's got a roof and the nuts and bolts are set.

"Then we've got to find the money to do the exotic stuff," he said.

Currey, president of the Coal River Group watershed organization, held a fundraiser Sunday to show off construction of the group's new Science and Education Center at Meadowood<co> Park near Tornado.

Barbecue and legal beverages were on the menu at Sunday's fundraiser. Last year's event helped raise more than $20,000, Currey said.

"We're trying to raise a nest egg," he said.

The basics of the new building are already paid for, but the group is seeking to raise more cash to help fund its many projects and the "exotic stuff" at the education center.

He also hopes for two state-of-the-art, multi-fuel stoves at the site that could burn anything from soybeans to coal.        

The alternative energy sources would be great ways to encourage people to use that type of energy at their homes or farms, he said.

A few years back, the Coal River Group formed and organizers began to promote recreation on the river.

"The whole idea ... is to get people back on the river," he said.

For now, though, he's happy the building's got a roof and the nuts and bolts are set.

"Then we've got to find the money to do the exotic stuff," he said.

Currey, president of the Coal River Group watershed organization, held a fundraiser Sunday to show off construction of the group's new Science and Education Center at Meadowood<co> Park near Tornado.

Barbecue and legal beverages were on the menu at Sunday's fundraiser. Last year's event helped raise more than $20,000, Currey said.

"We're trying to raise a nest egg," he said.

The basics of the new building are already paid for, but the group is seeking to raise more cash to help fund its many projects and the "exotic stuff" at the education center.

He also hopes for two state-of-the-art, multi-fuel stoves at the site that could burn anything from soybeans to coal.        

The alternative energy sources would be great ways to encourage people to use that type of energy at their homes or farms, he said.

A few years back, the Coal River Group formed and organizers began to promote recreation on the river.

"The whole idea ... is to get people back on the river," he said.

Each summer, the group's annual Tour De Coal is an 11-mile excursion down the Coal that draws hundreds of people and their paddleboats, antique canoes, kayaks and more.

"There's nothing like the Coal River," said Jan Quinlan, who used to enjoy swimming, Sunday picnics and camping along the riverbank as a child.

Quinlan's mother and Jane Burdette's mother, who are still friends, also enjoyed spending time on the river.

"They were the original river rats, I called them," Burdette said.

Earlier Sunday, Anne Melton, 6, walked into the new education center and looked out the open space that will soon fit a large window.

The first thing Anne said was "she loves the smell of the river," Quinlan said.

The education center will help preserve the history of the Coal River, the Little Coal River, the Big Coal River and the lock-and-dam system from the 1850s.

Right now, the center also has information about Coal River cleanups and the group's water monitoring programs at 11 regional schools. The new building will double as office space for Coal River Group organizers, Currey said.        

@tag:Reach Davin White at davinwh...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1254.