Feb 2005, As written
in the Dallas Morning News Editorial Page
Sci-Tech Remains a Viable and Exciting Project for Collin County
Dear Editor,
As reported recently in your paper, Sci-Tech Discovery Center voluntarily
withdrew its request for inclusion in an upcoming City of Plano municipal
bond election. Since that time, we have received a number of inquiries
concerning the reasons for our withdrawal, and what our withdrawal might
imply as to the future of our movement to establish a permanent home for
Sci-Tech Discovery Center. I am writing to assure the many citizens and
organizations that have supported and continue to support Sci-Tech that
our project to establish and build a science and technology center remains
a viable and exciting project that will benefit our community.
Knowing the City of Plano needed to reduce the bond package and that our
project was moving down the list of priority items (it's hard to compete
with essentials like fire stations and roads), we decided to withdraw our
request. We are grateful for the assistance and guidance we have received
from the city, and we appreciate Council members’ strong statements of
support and encouragement.
Our decision to withdraw our funding request is not and should not be
viewed as an indication that our project lacks support or merit, or that
Sci-Tech has lost or is losing momentum, either in the public or private
sector. Quite the contrary. This summer, we will host our second preview
exhibit at The Shops at Willow Bend. Students and families in the region
will enjoy another dynamic hands-on experience – what Sci-Tech calls
"mind-stretching fun!sm" – as they explore the fun and creative sides of
engineering. "Engineer It!" a 5,000 square foot traveling exhibit created
by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry with support from the
National Science Foundation will appear May 23rd through mid-September.
The inaugural preview exhibit, "Zap! Surgery Beyond the Cutting Edge"
developed by the Carnegie Science Center, drew over 14,000 visitors last
summer. We will bring this second preview exhibit with the help of a
growing group of individual and public and private sector sponsors and
supporters.
We strongly believe in the merits and viability of our project. As stated
in our funding request to the City of Plano, Sci-Tech benefits our
community in a number of ways by impacting our economy positively,
responding to a demand for cultural destinations, addressing the need to
inspire increased interest in math and science, enhancing our business
environment, and adding in a tangible way to our overall quality of life.
I can assure all of your readers that we continue to enthusiastically and
aggressively pursue our goal.
Please join us this summer at the Shops of Willow Bend to experience
first-hand what we call "Mind-Stretching-Fun!sm" and to see a tangible
demonstration of what Sci Tech Discovery Center is all about.
Laura Curran
President, Board of Directors
Sci-Tech Discovery Center
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