McKenzie Furniture Building to be Purchased for Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham

May 17, 2011

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. – The City of Rockingham today announced that it is moving forward with the purchase of the McKenzie Furniture building as the home for the new Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham. Renovation on the facility will begin as soon as the $2 million funding challenge recently issued by The Leon Levine Foundation is met.

Last week Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham announced a leadership challenge grant from The Leon Levine Foundation. The Foundation will provide $2 million in funding for the new Museum if the campaign reaches $9.6 million by December 31, 2011. Once this funding milestone is reached, renovation of the McKenzie building and exhibition fabrication can begin. If the Levine challenge is met earlier than the deadline, construction efforts may begin in September of this year so that the Museum may open by early 2013.

Discovery Place also announced a total campaign goal of $14.6 million that is needed to fund the entire scope of educational objectives for the project. Campaign objectives include funds for the acquisition and renovation of the facility, exhibition design and fabrication, outreach efforts through the ScienceReach program, admission subsidy for the underserved, long-term support for exhibition upgrades and maintenance.

“Our comprehensive campaign goal of $14.6 million will allow us to create a magical museum experience in the former McKenzie building, to deliver extraordinary educational programs to children in the region and to provide access to a wide range of people,” said John Mackay, president and CEO, Discovery Place. “When we meet the challenge from The Leon Levine Foundation, we ensure the success of the first step in this process – opening Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham.”

The Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham project was launched by the commitment of $6.6 million in funds from the Cole Foundation and the Richmond Community Foundation. Their visionary leadership gifts are intended for the long-term sustainability of the Museum. The funds from The Leon Levine Foundation grant will be applied toward the Museum’s capital needs.

“We are humbled by the enthusiasm and generosity of the community and its supporters, now including The Leon Levine Foundation,” continued Mackay. “We have a big fundraising goal ahead of us but with the leadership of dedicated volunteers on our campaign team, we will continue to work hard to meet the challenge and to deliver a range of exciting and engaging educational experiences to the region.”

The capital campaign is being conducted by Discovery Place Inc. in partnership with the City of Rockingham and the greater Richmond County area. Led by honorary chairmen Russell Bennett and Neal Cadieu, a Campaign Cabinet is working to raise awareness of the project and to garner leadership support from corporations, foundations, professionals and individuals throughout the Sandhills region.

“The purchase of the building is another major landmark on a long road to realizing this once in a lifetime opportunity for the Sandhills region,” said campaign co-chair Neal Cadieu. “We continue to be energized by the progress. A large group of volunteer campaign workers from throughout the region continue to work hard to bring the opportunity of Discovery Place KIDS to reality.”

“We are delighted to be moving forward on the purchase of the building and to be making tangible progress on developing this wonderful facility for our community, “said Mayor Gene McLaurin. “We look forward to continuing to work with Discovery Place and the Campaign Cabinet to meet the fundraising challenge set forth and to inject new energy in downtown Rockingham.”

About Discovery Place KIDS
Discovery Place KIDS is an innovative model in regional children’s museums developed by Discovery Place, Inc., the parent company of Discovery Place and Charlotte Nature Museum. Discovery Place KIDS is built on the theme of “I CAN” and offers unique opportunities for learning through play for children and their parents or caregivers. For more information about Discovery Place KIDS, call 704-372-6261 or visit discoveryplaceKIDS.org.

About Discovery Place

One of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place provides ever-changing, entertaining facilities that engage the public in the active exploration of science and nature. More than a half-million people from all over the United States visit Discovery Place, its IMAX® Dome Theatre and Charlotte Nature Museum each year. In June 2010, the Museum completed an 18-month, $31.6 million renovation, resulting in a completely transformed and re-imagined experience with all-new interactive exhibits. Discovery Place is supported, in part, with operating support from the Arts & Science Council. Connect with Discovery Place on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Discovery Place is located in uptown Charlotte at 301 N. Tryon Street. Convenient parking is available in the Museum’s parking deck – the Carol Grotnes Belk Complex – at the corner of Sixth and Church Streets. For more information about Discovery Place call (704) 372-6261 or visit discoveryplace.org.

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