After two years of failing heat in the Horicon NWR office building, the Service accepted the low bid from Takota Corporation of Las Vegas, Nevada, for a geo-thermal pond loop source heat pump system. 

This company sub-contracted the entire project to numerous local companies.  The project also included replacement of all the existing lighting in the building with energy efficient lighting. 

Final cost of the project was $226,500. 

The pond outside of the office/visitor center was drained, in July, and rehabilitated in preparation for installation of the geothermal coils. 

Refuge staff were without heat for the winter with the exception of small electric space heaters provided by a sub-contractor.  By the end of February, the project was completed.