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The Discovery Center is getting $1 million from the state for a new trades gallery
The Discovery Center's gallery plan, by the numbers
- $1 million
- from the state, released this week
- 5 to 10
- the ages Building Kids is meant for
- 40+
- area businesses and trades groups on the support committee
- 30,000
- square feet in the museum's new fabrication warehouse
Sources: KSMU, OzarksFirst.com
If you've got a kid between 5 and 10, the Discovery Center has news. The museum announced it has received $1 million from the State of Missouri, money that had been restricted until this week, for building upgrades and a new gallery called Building Kids.
Building Kids is meant to point kids toward trades, engineering and manufacturing. CEO Tyler Moles said at a Monday press conference it will be a three-story structure inside the building. Ideas include a plumbing exhibit kids can hook up and a toned-down welding simulator.
- Where: 438 E. St. Louis, downtown Springfield
- Funding source: House Bill 19 appropriation
- Open since 1991; 30,000-square-foot expansion came two decades ago
- Still needed: more fundraising to finish the project
The money also covers upgrades Moles says the building needs to keep up with demand.
The Discovery Center's planned building upgrades
| Upgrade | What it does |
|---|---|
| HVAC chiller | Cools the building; 20+ year service life |
| Electrical and plumbing | Makes room for a commercial kitchen |
| Replacement flooring | Covers areas worn by millions of feet |
| Front windows | All replaced; helps heating and cooling costs |
Sources: KSMU, OzarksFirst.com
