GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – In just a six-week span, the Children’s Museum of Green Bay has packed-up from their downtown location and is set to open to the public across from Bay Beach Amusement Park.
Well, sort of.
Wednesday was their first “soft-opening” to members since they relocated back in April.
The museum remains a work in progress, but considering the short turnaround, the interior is shockingly close to complete.
“To get this completed is a lot, a lot, a lot of work,” explains Executive Director, Toni Burnett.
While the process has been quick, and mostly pain-free, she says it hasn’t gone completely without a hiccup here and there.
For example, the museum’s big boat encountered a few dings during the move.
“We got it set and now we have just a couple of small leaks and we have to figure them out,” says Burnett. “[We’re] going to use a little Flex-Seal in there.”
Otherwise, the move has been an overwhelmingly positive experience for organizers, who think the new location is a match made in kid heaven.
“Everyday during the summer we’ll be packed in here,” she explains. “And with the outdoor space, that space will be full as well.”
The outdoor space is a roughly 12,000-square-foot exterior location that will feature additional exhibits.
Organizers hope to have that ready and open by June 17.
Until then, the museum will be relegated to offering only its interior selection.
“We will continue to soft-open between now and June 17,” says Burnett. “On Friday, we’ll soft-open with the general public, as well.”
The interior space of the new location is roughly the same size as their previous location, but Burnett cites improved flow and layout as factors which have allowed them room necessary to provide a few new exhibits.
Also, once construction is finished, the museum will be able to offer more than fifty free parking spaces for visitors and a bus drop-off location for large groups.
