By the time Exploration Place’s new president, Alberto C. Meloni, starts work full time on July 5, it will have been a long two years since the children’s museum and science center had a CEO. Though the generous gift from Sedgwick County last year has eased the 6-year-old attraction’s fiscal emergency — a $10.5 million shortfall — Meloni and the board still have to decide what Exploration Place’s long-term mission, programming and funding will be. Let’s hope Meloni, most recently boss of St. Joseph Museums in St. Joseph, Mo., can help make what goes on inside this landmark as singular and exciting as its architecture.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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4 Comments
Is the exterior ever going to be painted? That tan color from the drawings would be nice.
Some say IMAX movies, but there isn’t too many of them being made.
Kids under 10 should get in free, 2 children per one adult.
For some reason, shouldn’t music be played there? Live music, small bands of any kind. No more than five members.
Keep rotating the programs to experience. Light shows at night from the facility over the water in the summers.
It’s always people who are genius in showboating, technology and small psychics experiments can only do so much. Monthly themes of some kind, actors in costumes.
Whatever to make it less boring and the same old things to see and do.
It should smell in there, exotically somehow. I don’t know exactly what I’m describing. Walk in the building people should feel some kind of mood going on, if its scents or noise vistors feel.
Mrage makes great suggestions.
On IMAX, there are two movies coming out this month, and two next month. I think that they’re making about 10-12 IMAX films a year, and that number is going to rise. Don’t forget either that there are IMAX-format commercial films, such as Harry Potter (2 films), Matrix Reloaded and upcoming Poseidon and Superman Returns. This is going to be a growing phenomenon.
Moreover, there is a large archive of older films, about 60 in circulation right now.
Bill Warren has built a really nice cineplex at K-96 and E 13th. Maybe he could take the lead in getting an IMAX projection system for EP and then make some money for himself and for EP.
E P definitely needs to expand its hours. It should be open evenings.
Outdoor music IS a good idea. The patio on both sides of the building is very well suited to this.
Radio control boats could be operated from inside the facility and run on the water outside. Have the display explain basics of radio control. Charge 50 cents or a dollar for a few minutes time driving the boats.
MORE food options and menu.
The aircraft simulators are nice. How about a multi axis trainer? Kids would love that. I’d love that.
Wow, everyone has had great suggestions. I’m not sure what the magic bullet is, but I don’t think it’s any one thing. EP needs to reevaluate its mission and do many things differently.
I understand why EP didn’t do IMAX from the start, but it needs to admit the experiment didn’t work out and go with IMAX instead. Giving Warren the rights to operate the cyberdome is a great idea, but keep in mind not all IMAX productions are of the dome variety. The IMAX format can also be a larger, 6 story version of the traditional flat screen. I think most of the Hollywood productions are this type.
Light shows would be cool.
Rotating exhibits are a must to keep the museum fresh.
Traveling exhibits (like the Cosmosphere bringing in the Apollo capsule) would generate excitement.
That tan paintjob is a must. EP looks naked without it.
A significant increase in the marketing budget so potential visitors a) remember EP exists, and b) don’t have to search newspapers or the internet to find out what shows are playing at the cyberdome.
For God’s sakes, do something constructive with the plaza and the water between the land and island buildings. Good ideas from Mrage and JR here.
Of course, whatever needs to be done will cost money. The community will need to grow some cahonas to cough up the dough.