By Times Staff Writer
Published September 10, 2004
Citrus County Auditorium: The auditorium will be closed to public use until further notice. It is being used as an emergency center for the Red Cross and other emergency operations. The Salute to Labor picnic planned for Sunday at the auditorium has been canceled.
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park: The park, which closed mid-day Saturday, will remain closed today. Park officials have been waiting for power crews to restore electricity to the main park area off Fishbowl Drive, according to Art Yerian, park manager.
The park suffered considerable tree damage, as well as fence and structural damage, but all park animals had been moved to safety before Frances hit. Bears and cougars weathered the storm in new concrete enclosures. Birds were moved out of the exhibit and the whooping crane was shipped to Gainesville for safekeeping.
"You couldn't see the sidewalks for all the debris," Yerian said. "It has made for quite a mess."
By Thursday afternoon, park officials were still working on the preparation for opening in the coming days, according to Susan Dougherty, park spokeswoman.
