GRAND ISLAND – The ground-breaking ceremony for the EPIC Discovery Center occurred Oct. 25 at the former site of the Armory on Old Potash Highway.
EPIC Discovery Center will emphasize STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math). The estimated completion date is late 2025 or early 2026.
Kelly Henry, EPIC Discovery Center board president, said that the idea for the center started in 2019. A committee was formed in 2020 to continue work on the project.
Alison Larson, executive director of EPIC Discovery Center, said it received a matching grant of $5 million from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development in 2023. EPIC Discovery Center has received three major grants: $218,000 from the Grand Island/Hall County Convention and Visitors Bureau; $400,000 from Grow Grand Island; and $500,000 from the Peter Kiewit Foundation. Donations are still being sought. Capital campaign chairs are Kelly Henry and Sue Pirnie. The total amount of matching funds raised to date is $4.2 million, Larson said.
“Thank you to the city of Grand Island for providing us with this building,” Larson said. “I also would like to thank the steering committee and capital campaign committee.” She said she also wanted to thank people who have made an investment in the project.
“Grand Island needs this project for its children,” Larson said.
Roger Bullington is president of Chief Construction, the contractor for the project. He acknowledged CMBA Architects for its work on the project.
He said that work on the building has already started. Waterproofing is occurring at the building’s base. The building is getting a new roof, and tuckpointing is occurring.
Bullington noted that Chief Construction is involved in a number of projects that support children’s education in the community.
“We couldn’t be more excited about this project,” he said.
Mayor Roger Steele said, “Today, we celebrate our community’s newest treasure.”
He said that the project has boundless potential for the community’s youth.
Steele said that EPIC Discovery Center will join the Pirnie Inclusive Playground and Ryder Park baseball field as components of Ryder Park.
He said that the park was founded in 1947 and named after Del Ryder by the city in 1958. Steele said that Ryder was a long-time school board member and was instrumental in developing the city’s parks.
“I couldn’t think of a better place for EPIC Discovery Center than right here,” Steele said. He said that the center will bring joy, inspiration, and countless moments of wonder to the community’s youth.
Mayor Roger Steele speaks at the ground-breaking ceremony for EPIC Discovery Center on Oct. 25, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
After the ground-breaking ceremony for EPIC Discovery Center, those attending the ceremony could go inside the building where the Center will be located, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
EPIC Discovery Center will open in late 2025 or early 2026.