The Matthews Town Council announced a new science museum location integrated with a school and park.
MATTHEWS, N.C. — The Matthews Town Council unveiled the location of a new science museum in partnership with Discovery Place on Monday.
This innovative project will be co-located with a new Matthews elementary school and a town park, promising to transform the educational and recreational landscape of the community.
During Monday’s council meeting, the board discussed the multifaceted benefits of the initiative. The science museum, which aims to foster a love for science and technology among young learners, will be integrated into the new elementary school, providing students with unparalleled access to hands-on learning experiences.
The complex will be built around the existing elementary school, with the new building taking the place of the current playground and the grounds of the current school becoming space for the new town park.
The museum’s location within the new town park is designed to create a seamless blend of education and outdoor activities. The park will feature interactive exhibits and outdoor classrooms, making learning an engaging and dynamic experience.
The council emphasized the importance of community involvement in the planning and development stages. Public hearings and community meetings will be held to gather input and ensure the project meets the needs and expectations of Matthews residents.
Matthews Town Manager Becky Hawke said this is still in the preliminary stages.
“We still need our board and the CMS board to agree to this, we expect that to be happening in the next few weeks, but as we envision it at this preliminary stage, the school and museum would be co-located under one roof, but they would operate as completely separate entities with all of the safety measures in place that both of those organizations require on a regular bases at their existing locations,” Hawke said.
Funding for the project will come from a combination of town budget allocations, grants, and private donations. The council is optimistic about securing the necessary funds, given the project’s potential to attract educational grants and philanthropic support.
The new science museum, elementary school, and town park are expected to be completed within the next three years.
The cost of the new elementary school is estimated to be nearly $80 million and comes from a 2023 bond referendum fund totaling $2.5 billion across 30 projects.
The town will hold hybrid Community Information Sessions on Thursday, May 8, at 7 p.m. and Wednesday, May 14, at 7 p.m. You can attend in person at the Matthews Town Hall or online.
Contact Walker Lawson at [email protected] or follow him on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
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