GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA – The EPIC Discovery Center recently received $864,000 in grants to develop the all-ages children’s museum. Grants were awarded by the Sherwood Foundation ($500,000), the Chief Foundation ($300,000) and a total of $64,000 from other local funders and foundations. These grants, as well as private pledges and donations, are matched by the $5 million grant provided through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery and Investment Act.
The goal of this capital campaign is to develop a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) children’s museum for all ages in the old armory building in Ryder Park. The EPIC Discovery Center will feature over 15,000 square feet of exhibits and programs for kids, tweens and teens unique to Grand Island and the surrounding areas. The project is being undertaken in partnership with JREMco for project management, CMBA for architecture, Chief Construction for general contracting services and Blue Rhino Design for exhibit and programming. EPIC is also partnering with the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation to manage the capital campaign.
“We are so grateful for the support the EPIC Discovery Center receives from the community,” said Alison Larson, Executive Director of the EPIC Discovery Center. “It’s rare to have the opportunity to be involved in a project like this, and we’re proud that so many people understand and want to help make this possible for Grand Island. This is truly a chance to be a part of something epic for the youth of our community.”
These grants, pledges and donations total more than $3.1 million, 63% of the original goal. EPIC has set a goal of raising $5 million in 2024 to match the NE DED Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery and Investment Act grant. The total $10 million will go directly toward the development of the children’s museum, which includes general construction, programming and exhibits. The total project cost is $13 million, including a $2 million endowment match.
“While we have until the end of December to meet the first goal, we would like to get it done by the end of October so we can start construction,” Larson said. “The sooner we meet those goals, the sooner we can start programming.”
Donations and pledges to support the creation of a children’s museum on Grand Island can be made through the EPIC Discovery Center website or by calling 308-392-3457. For more information, visit www.epicdiscovery.org and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/epicdiscoverycenter.
The EPIC Discovery Center is an emerging STEAM-based children’s museum that will feature exhibits and programs for youth and children of all ages. The EPIC Discovery Center will occupy the old armory building on Old Potash Highway in Ryder Park. This site was chosen for its central location, easy community access, and proximity to Ryder Park, which is an activity hub for the Grand Island community. The mission of the EPIC Discovery Center is to engage families to explore creativity and community through experiential learning and play.
