The South Dakota Discovery Center in Pierre is holding an open house today (Oct. 26, 2021) from 11:30am-1:30pm CT and 4:30-6pm CT.
Executive Director Rhea Waldman says the Discovery Center has been part of South Dakota and the Pierre/Fort Pierre communities for over 30 years– and they’re looking ahead to what the next 30 may bring.
Waldman says today’s tours will give people some “behind the scenes” views of the Discovery Center.
Click this link to take the Discovery Center’s survey.
Hear more from Waldman by going to this edition of People in Your Neighborhood on KGFX with Big Daddy Dave Williams.
In the late 1980s, the idea of a science center in Pierre was championed by Mayor Grace Peterson and many others. The Discovery Center became the largest of the lasting legacy projects that took place in over 300 cities across the state for South Dakota’s 100th birthday in 1989.
According to its website, the biggest issues currently facing the Discovery Center are:
- Top of our list is that we will not be able to stay at our current site for much longer. Our basement classrooms can no longer be used. Water damage and lack of a fire exit has taken that space out of play.
- Our large, iconic windows, which make our space unique, leak when it rains. We have water in our basement, and the cost of repairs continue to increase. The City of Pierre, who owns our building, is unable to keep up with the growing needs and costs of repairs.
- We have grown our team and are out of office and classroom space. With the lot and building constraints, we are unable to expand to add more space. It is time to look at our options and find a new home.
Comments