| Clearwater, Florida - As part of its continuing | | | | Scientology. This expansion enables the Church of |
| expansion, on March 14th, 2009 the Church of | | | | Scientology to provide better service to the tens of |
| Scientology Flag Service Organization Religious | | | | thousands of Scientologists who annually travel to Flag |
| Retreat held the grand opening of the fully rebuilt | | | | from over 60 nations to participate in the highest levels |
| Clearwater landmark Fort Harrison. | | | | of Scientology training and counseling. Additionally, in |
| | | | keeping with the Church of Scientology’s history of |
| Given its age, over three quarters of a century, and | | | | service to the community and the heritage of the Fort |
| the desire to see the Fort Harrison stand even grander | | | | Harrison itself, the re-built Grand Auditorium and historic |
| through the next century, beginning in April 2008 the | | | | Crystal Ballroom will be available for use by community |
| building was stripped virtually bare and rebuilt from its | | | | organizations and other non-profits. Open houses |
| core. This included installation of new state-of-the-art | | | | and other events will make the facility available to the |
| systems, as well as fully modernized professional | | | | local community at large. |
| kitchens to service the retreat’s three | | | | Acquired in 1975, the Fort Harrison was the |
| restaurants. Particular care was taken to make the | | | | Church’s first building in Clearwater and marked the |
| work and the final product environmentally friendly. | | | | beginning of Flag as the spiritual headquarters of the |
| This included using recycled “blue jean” insulation, | | | | Scientology religion. Since that time, the religious |
| low emission air conditioning and generators, as well as | | | | retreat has rapidly expanded into over 40 buildings, |
| energy-efficient lighting, electrical and air conditioning. | | | | totaling 2 million square feet of facilities, to service the |
| Despite all the modernization, the Fort Harrison still | | | | rapidly growing numbers of Scientologists traveling to |
| bears its hallmark historical touches, including the | | | | Flag for advanced religious services. |
| replication of the lobby’s original black wrought iron | | | | Saturday’s opening marks the end of the second |
| work and gold leafed moldings. The resurfacing of | | | | phase of the Church’s on going Clearwater |
| the entire exterior with added architectural detailing | | | | expansion. Phase one was the January 2008 |
| makes the hotel even more beautiful than its legendary | | | | opening of the newly renovated 172,000 square foot |
| beginning in 1926, when she was known as “the | | | | Oak Cove. With the Fort Harrison now complete, the |
| Aristocrat of Southern Florida Hotels”. | | | | Church has begun the final phase of its expansion |
| General Contractor, Nova Hotel Renovation and | | | | program, the completion of its new 360,000 square |
| Construction, hired over 350 local workers to complete | | | | foot Church building. This Church will provide the |
| the building. 30,000 feet of plumbing, 17,000 feet of air | | | | necessary facilities to make all Scientology services |
| conditioning ducts and pipes and 66 miles of electrical | | | | available in one building, both for the burgeoning |
| wiring were used. | | | | community of Clearwater Scientologists as well as the |
| Completed in just eleven months, the Fort Harrison | | | | dynamic and expanding congregation of Scientologists |
| opening represents the next phase in the creation of | | | | traveling to Flag from around the world. |
| an ideal religious retreat for the Church of | | | | |