By Dwayne Hagens
The Scene staff
An era ended at the St. Louis Science Center on June 24, when officials deflated the Exploradome.
The 652,000-cubic-foot, gridded balloon structure had been inflated in 1997 to provide extra exhibit space. It cost $2 million.
“It was never meant to be a permanent structure,” said spokeswoman Margie Walsh, noting the Exploradome was supposed to come down in six years. “It lasted a longer than expected.”
The Science Center opened a new $9.5 million wing called Boeing Hall in 2011, providing more permanent space for exhibits and eliminating the need for the Exploradome.
The current exhibit is “Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science.”
“I like how it is interactive,” said Ted Peterson III, 50, of St. Louis. “It’s definitely a family building, good for adults and children. It’s a great, solid teaching tool, very hands on.”
After 17 years of use, the Exploradome was deflated in just under 10 minutes.
“I didn’t even get to use my camera, it happened so fast,” said Gordon Brooks, a desktop support technician who witnessed the moment in history.
“I’m glad they took it down,” he said. “It was time.”
The Exploradome’s removal also was a cost-cutting measure. The Science Center spent about $200,000 a year to operate it. Fans ran around the clock to keep it inflated.
“One of the important things we have to do is look at where we have to reduce or minimize expenses and where we want to invest more,” said President Bert Vescolani in a press release. “Exhibits are where we want to invest more.”
Vescolani took over the Science Center helm in 2012, immediately facing the task of reducing a $20 million debt. Most of it resulted from daily operating costs, leased land, expanded education programs and five-figure bonuses given to vice presidents, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
After making cuts last year, officials said $10 million in cuts still were needed.
“Body Worlds 3,” “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” and “Real Pirates” are just a few of the blockbuster exhibits that attracted millions of visitors to the Exploradome over the years.
“It was an iconic structure, well beyond its lifespan,” Vescolani said. “And with (it’s removal), we have lots of opportunity for change.”
The Post-Dispatch reported that the land vacated by the Exploradome will be seeded to make way for an agriculture exhibit that will include outdoor classrooms, gardens and artwork.
Science Center officials declined to comment on what will replace the Exploradome.
“This will be the largest exhibit expansion in the Science Center’s history, and we know it will be highly relevant to the St. Louis area and its future,” Vescolani said in the press release.
“Right now, we’re in the planning phase, but I can tell you that this exhibit will be highly interactive and contain many elements that change each year, ensuring the exhibit experiences stay current and refreshed every time you visit.
“We will be sharing more as we develop concepts and ideas concerning specific content for the area in the coming months.”