During an emotional Kenai City Council meeting Wednesday evening, one of the resolutions up for discussion was terminating the lease of the building that houses the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska.
Since opening in 2000, the center has offered programs to spark kids’ interest in STEM fields by offering workshops, space-themed simulations and educational programs. It’s part of a global network established in 1986 by the families of the astronauts involved in the Challenger disaster.
Tim Dillon, president of the Challenger’s board of directors, gave a heartfelt speech to the council about the organization’s financial difficulties over the past few years. He clarified that the Challenger Learning Center operated similarly to a franchise, meaning it had to send a check to NASA every year. The center historically has not received federal funding for operations because it operated independently, rather than in conjunction with a school, museum or university as other Challenger centers do across the U.S.
“When the revenue streams aren’t there, and a lot of things have changed, especially in the last four or five years — when you look across the table you need to be able to tell your staff where their paycheck is coming from, and if they’re going to get a paycheck,” Dillon said. “When you get to a point where you can’t do that anymore, you’ve got to make changes.”
Every city council member said they were sad to see the center close its doors.
“The building might be closing, and your staff might be leaving, but the Challenger Center has had a huge impact on a lot of kids and families in this community,” council member Bridget Grieme said. “Though your doors might be closing, your impacts and your legacies are going to be remembered and live on and continue to have an impact.”
Dillon said the center’s partnership with Marathon Petroleum will continue to provide curriculum and materials for kids in the Kenai school district. He teared up when talking about how his son, who is now a research scientist, grew up visiting the Challenger Center.
Unanimous consent to adopt the resolution was requested, and Mayor Henry Knackstedt asked if there were any objections, “other than we don’t want to.”
The resolution was adopted unanimously, and the Challenger Learning Center will cease operations on Nov. 15.
