ST. GEORGE — Zion National Park will host first lady Laura Bush on Sunday during an invitation-only ceremony to rededicate the park's Nature Center.

Bush is expected to offer remarks during the ceremony, along with Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and National Park Service Director Mary Bomar, said Zion National Park spokesman David Eaker.

"This is not a public event," he said, noting the park service is not in charge of the event. The White House and Secret Service are coordinating Bush's visit to southern Utah with local law enforcement and park officials.

Washington County Sheriff Kirk Smith said the Secret Service plans to discuss Bush's trip with local officials today during an advance planning session.

"This is the first time we've had a member of the first family here. This is going to be new stuff for us," said Smith. "We're going forward with an open mind and want to see how we can help."

The Nature Center, which was built in 1934, once housed the park's cafeteria and employed hundreds of local teenagers seeking summer jobs. During the 1970s, the park converted the building to house the Junior Ranger program. In 2006, the park service approved a plan to renovate and rehabilitate the building.

"We wanted it to keep its original appearance," said Eaker. "The building will still be used as a home for the Junior Ranger program, for training conferences and some community events."