By J.B. Smith

Tribune-Herald staff writer

With their fundraising goal within kissing distance, backers of the Waco Mammoth Site now have a timeline: Start the first phase of the project in early 2008 and open it to the public by this time next year.

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The Waco Mammoth Foundation is about $290,000 from its goal of $3.2 million for the first phase of protecting and displaying the bones of mammoths in a pit on the Bosque River.

The city of Waco has nearly completed the design for the first phase and will award bids for its construction early in the new year, City Manager Larry Groth said. He said be believes all the money will be raised by then, but if not, a short-term bank loan could get the project started.

Gloria Young, chief fundraiser for the project, said she hopes to have all money in hand before construction begins. She is awaiting word from several foundations and other donors.

“The response from people has been tremendous,” she said. “We just need a few more people to step forward. It helps for it to be big amounts, but little amounts help, too.

“We got a check from a man for $100. He was 99 years old. He said he was sorry it couldn’t be more, but he wanted to give us that because he thought it was important for the future of Waco and the children.”

The first phase of the project will build a visitors center, parking lots and a climate-controlled pavilion to protect the mammoth bones, many of which are now covered by a tent.

“The bones are very vulnerable right now,” Young said.

The next phase will include trails through the wooded 109-acre property and add an interpretive center. That phase already has a head start, thanks to a matching grant from philanthropists Paul and Jane Meyer.

The Meyers’ foundation has already contributed $270,000 to the first phase, and the Meyers themselves have pledged $1.5 million in funds to match other gifts. Once the first phase is complete, $1 million of their commitment will remain for the second phase.

Meanwhile, the city, county and Baylor University have each contributed $100,000 to the first phase.

Young expects most of the project will be funded from local donors, but nationwide publicity over the bones could also bring some out-of-town donations.

The mammoth site has received coverage in newspapers such as USA Today, the Chicago Tribune and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

jbsmith@wacotrib.com

757-5752