SciTech, the hands-on science museum for young people, has announced it is closing its doors at 18 W. Benton St. in downtown Aurora after 34 years.
The permanent closure follows more than two years of the museum being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Several factors conspired to keep the museum from reopening at that location.
“At this time, we have decided not to reopen in a physical space,” said Faith Slowinski, SciTech executive director.
Nick Scanlan, SciTech board president, said in a press release Wednesday that the board “had hoped for a shorter closure time frame, leveraged available resources, and held out as long as we could …”
“But the reality of opening safely and within budget during a pandemic was not able to be realized,” Scanlan said. “We quite simply have run out of options for a viable museum location and the associated funding for such a move.”
The city of Aurora owns the building at 18 W. Benton St., the former Aurora Post Office. It has gotten interest for redevelopment of the property – including from a large brewery and restaurant operation.
Museum officials have been looking for another location, including at the Fox Valley Mall, but Slowinski said after much consideration, the museum “will not be moving into a physical space.”
Slowinski and Scanlan said the museum board, which will continue, is going to reimagine SciTech as a STEM education resource and provider. It will retain such resources as Starlab, a portable planetarium, and some of the favorite hands-on curriculum, Slowinski said.
The museum board is going to look to partner with area schools, park districts and libraries, places with space for the exhibits and learning possibilities.
Slowinski said officials are not ruling out another space at some time in the future, but right now are looking for “a way to be viable, a way to support our mission.”
“It’s a change,” she said. “And change is never easy.”
Slowinski said as part of SciTech’s community-minded STEM mission, officials plan to hold a “First Share” event for area schools and non-profits interested in acquiring new and gently used STEM and school supplies.
The free donation event is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, May 20, and 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 21, at the 18 W. Benton St. location.
In order to gain entry to this donation event for educators, guests must show a business card or ID from their school or non-profit group. Area museums are encouraged to contact Faith Slowinski if they are interested in considering exhibits or artifacts.
Slowinski said museum officials also are sponsoring a “Last Look” event for the public from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 3, as part of Aurora’s First Fridays event downtown. She said officials want to thank the Aurora community and the city of Aurora for their longtime support of SciTech.
At the event, the public will be welcome to walk through SciTech one last time before the doors close. The gift shop will be open, offering merchandise at 50% off and guests can also preview the “Last Chance” public sale that starts the following week.
That sale event for the public will run daily beginning Monday, June 6, through Friday, June 10. The hours will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 1 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, that week.
Larger items purchased must be removed from SciTech no later than 4 p.m. Friday, June 10.
More information is available on the SciTech website at www.scitechmuseum.org, or by contacting Faith Slowinski at director@scitechmuseum.org or 630-859-3434, Ext. 217.
slord@tribpub.com
