However, Stetson students, DeLand residents and visitors can also take advantage of the new facility. Available will be nonmotorized access to the lake. For those that enjoy kayaking or canoeing, this will be a safe place to launch those types of watercraft. Lake Beresford is a vast lake that has much to explore. It is a picturesque place to view wildlife such as alligators, birds and fish while also getting in a little exercise. Kayaks and canoes are also great to fish from, making it stealthy to hook a large mouth bass at dusk along the lake's weed-line.
In an article published by Stetson University, vice president for Facilities Managment, Al Allen stated, “We are going to wind up with an iconic building that meets our student rowers’ needs and eventually meets all the needs for academics and the [Stetson Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience], and we give the public a beautiful place to access the lake.”
Named after the great-granddaughter of the university’s namesake, John B. Stetson, the center comes by virtue of Sandra Stetson’s $6 million donation plus a $400,000 Volusia County ECHO grant (for environmental, cultural, historical and outdoor recreation projects). The initial phase of construction, costing approximately $6.2 million, is planned for completion on Oct. 31, 2018.