Families flock to new Discovery Center for New Year’s fireworks and free open house museum play

Facility featuring hands-on science and technology aimed at kids and teens to open this spring

By Mitch Hotts mhotts@medianewsgroup.com

A steady stream of families walked through the doors of The Discovery Center in downtown Mount Clemens to check out the educational/recreational facility on New Year’s Eve. And even though the space had only a handful of temporary activities, the initial response was overwhelmingly positive.

“The activities have kept her busy, and that’s the goal for us,” said Lauren Rutkowski, as her eight-year-old daughter Elliana played with magnets on a light table with dad Michael. “We weren’t sure when we first walked in because they still have a lot of work to do, but we’ll absolutely be back.”

The Macomb Township family are regular visitors to Mount Clemens for New Year’s Eve events, Michael Rutkowski said. He said they heard about The Discovery Center — formerly known as the Macomb Children’s Hands On Museum — from a relative.

“We were really excited this year because we heard about the Hands On Museum,” he said. “Clearly, it isn’t up and running but it’s nice to talk to the volunteers to hear about what they have planned. And all of the stuff in here has kept our daughter’s attention.”

Titled Night at the Museum, the event replaces the old New Year’s Eve in Never Never Land, an early New Year’s Eve event focused on families.

Some old favorites such as pony rides and fantasy face painting were still available, but the first look at the museum took a starring role. The night would end around 9 p.m. with a balldrop and a mini fireworks display.

“Oh my gosh, there’s been such a demand tonight,” said Dusty Welsh, the center’s interim executive director. “We had to stop accepting online reservations when we hit 600 families.”

The 12,500-square-foot Discovery Center inside of the former Art-O-Craft Hallmark store on Macomb Place plans to open in March with hands-on science, technology and recreational activities for children and teens.

Permanent displays will eventually focus on specific topics, according to Barb Dempsey, a board member and former Mount Clemens mayor. For example, there will one dedicated to automobiles, one to science, and a slide will take kids from the third floor down to the basement.

Eight years in the planning, center founder and president Monika Rittner said the facility will serve as an attraction for families around the region once the building opens on a full-time basis.

“In the past few days, I was getting calls from people in Port Huron, Romulus, Royal Oak – just all over. There’s clearly a lot of interest,” she said.

In the coming weeks, the building will be professionally cleaned, then the existing carpeting will be torn out and epoxy flooring installed. Then come the stations.

“I like how Mount Clemens is trying to bring back events for everybody,” said Amy Przybylski of Harrison Township, who was visiting with her husband, Joel, and their 8-year-old daughter Ava. “It’s nice to have more things happening for families.”

For more information on The Discovery Center, visit www.discoverymacomb.org or view this article on www.macombdaily.com.