The “Sci” in Sci-Port is on its way back
A yet-to-be publicly identified group of community organizations and individuals is investing in a new, non-profit organization called Red River STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math). The new entity plans to operate a children’s science center in what has been known as Sci- Port Discovery Center.
On July 10, the Shreveport City Council approved Red River STEM’s request to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the city of Shreveport. That’s necessary because the city owns the 92,000-square-foot Sci-Port building.
Sci-Port, downtown across from the Red River, once boasted of having well over 200 hands-on exhibits, programs and demonstrations. It also featured an IMAX Dome Theatre and Space Dome Planetarium. However, Sci-Port has been a shell of itself since closing last September. Earlier this year, the Power of Play area and the IMAX Theatre reopened with a limited schedule.
“Sci-Port has been a really valuable asset to the community for a number of reasons,” said Kristina Gustavson, executive director of the Community Foundation of North Louisiana. “Sci-Port exposes children who may not otherwise get to be exposed to science and STEM activities, with the school system busing in children. Sci-Port has also provided science and other training to teachers in the area so it exposes not only kids but teachers to new and innovative things.”
The Community Foundation will be the fiscal agent for Red River STEM, while the proposed non-profit organization waits for approval as a taxexempt organization.
Sci-Port was plagued by financial problems which led to its closing. In March, Sci-Port Board Chairman Richard Lamb was quoted as saying Sci- Port’s payroll was more than $2 million – a payroll the facility could not sustain.
Now that Red River STEM and the city have entered into an agreement, there will be a new board of directors, which will hire an executive director. Local attorney Jay Pierson has agreed to serve as chairman of the board.
“I think the big picture is we would like for it to be right back where it was in its heyday,” Pierson said. “It may not have the same characteristics, but would have the same quality and availability as it had.”
Pierson has first-hand knowledge of Sci-Port’s past and potential.
“My grandkids were in Houston, and I visited Children’s Museum of Houston. I’ve been to Dallas. I thought we had an excellent program that was even more math- and scienceoriented here in Shreveport. I feel like it offers an availability to a lot of children who don’t have a lot of access to that kind of teaching – hands-on teaching – that we can offer.”
Even though Sci-Port is geared for children, Pierson sees the facility as beneficial for people of all ages.
“It may not affect everyone directly, but indirectly, it shows a city that is progressive, that has its feet on the ground, and has a very good science and technology center for children. I thought that was a real plus when it was running strong.”
To learn more about Sci-Port Discovery Center, you may visit www. sci-port.org.
– Tony Taglavore
