Contact: Annette Geiselman, Executive Director (970) 472-3990
Discovery Science Center and Fort Collins Museum to Merge
March 1, 2008The City of Fort Collins announces the launch of an unprecedented public-private collaboration that will merge two cornerstone cultural organizations in Northern Colorado: the Discovery Science Center and the Fort Collins Museum.
"We're breaking new ground: this partnership is an unparalleled collaboration, and the programming we create--through merging science, culture and history--will offer a unique approach to hands-on learning," said Discovery Science Center Executive Director Annette Geiselman. "The partnership and the new facility will undoubtedly be an immense source of pride for our community."
In November 2005, Fort Collins voters passed Building on Basics (BOB), which renewed a one-quarter cent sales tax to fund high-priority, forward-thinking capital projects. This ballot measure designated $6 million toward the construction of a premier co-owned facility combining culture and science, expected to open in 2011.
"This is a rare and exciting opportunity for our community," said Fort Collins City Manager Darin Atteberry. "We are engaged in a forward-thinking and innovative approach to collaboration and stewardship. Through this partnership, we will pool resources to create and sustain a state-of-the-art science and cultural museum for Northern Colorado."
The City of Fort Collins will contribute land it currently owns--at the intersection of Mason and Cherry streets--near Old Town Fort Collins and the Poudre River for the construction of the state-of-the-art joint facility. Discovery Science Center will contribute no less than $3.6 million to the project: $2.5 million in support of building design and construction and $1.1 million for the acquisition of new exhibits.
The new facility will be jointly operated by the City of Fort Collins and a newly-crafted Non Profit Corporation (NPC). The two organizations' current directors, DSC Executive Director Annette Geiselman and FC Museum Director Cheryl Donaldson, will be responsible for operation and management of both the partnership and facility.
Together, these two Northern Colorado cornerstone institutions will create a unique visitor experience--for the community and the region--that combines Science, Nature, History, and Culture in a new and exciting way.