Open house Sunday at Flagler College

SAINT AUGUSTINE – Flagler College is hosting a Community Open House Sunday, Dec. 15, from 10 a.m.- noon.  to view the renovated serving and kitchen .area in the Historic Ponce de Leon Dining Room, updates that were completed this summer. This event is free and open to the public.

While the main highlights of the renovation project are the completely new serving and dish collection areas, the construction and historic preservation crews were able to enhance other areas for further preservation of the ornate interior. Other updates not able to be viewed include a new fire suppression system, a refresh of the fourth floor of Kenan Hall and several green elements added to the framework of the kitchen system.

The sustainability and green components of the renovation include the installation of a biodigester which will convert 400 pounds of food waste a day into gray water and an extension of recycling capacity of plastics, cardboard and cans. By turning food waste into gray water, the addition of the biodigester will prevent 43 tons of food waste per year from ending up in a landfill. Furthermore, the recycling capacity will now double the dining facility’s previous capacity.

This is a free event and reservations are not required. The building is accessible for all. In addition to the Community Open House, St. Johns County residents are able to take a free tour of the Ponce de Leon Dining Room, Flagler Room and Courtyard of the main Flagler College building at any time during the year, with valid I.D., as part of Flagler’s Legacy Tours. The historic tours are given by trained Flagler College students and feature the former luxury hotel, famous for its Tiffany Windows, ornate murals and Spanish-Renaissance architecture. For group tour rates, please contact Flagler’s Legacy at (904) 823-3378.