Discovery Playhouse looks to grow with construction

The Discovery Playhouse recently announced it will be able to expand the children's play museum to the second floor for more exhibits, thanks to community support and tax credits.

Among the new plans are to bring in new exhibits that will appeal to children ages 9 through 12 years old.

One exhibit will include a mock bike trail. A facade will be set up, featuring locations along the LaCroix Trail, such as Cape Splash and Arena Park. As children pedal faster on the bikes, destinations will light up until they reach and light up the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge.

The second floor, more than 7,500 square feet, will also include a party room. The museum expects the project to be complete in late 2015. Work on plumbing, the elevator and HVAC installation will need to be completed before the exhibits are installed.

The Discovery Playhouse has largely been a grassroots effort, supported by donors and by tickets sold for entry. The museum had privately raised funds to help retire its debt, and $110,000 was promised during its recent fundraising appeal.

The facility received $242,000 in Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits. The tax credits do not mean the museum definitely will receive this amount. However, it is a mechanism to help raise support.

State Rep. Kathy Swan wrote a letter of support when the playhouse applied for the credits.

"They're going to expand to feature more for older age groups and give additional children opportunities to explore things they wouldn't be able to without [the tax credits]," Swan said.

The Discovery Playhouse is a wonderful facility where children can go to play and learn. It adds to our quality of life in Cape Girardeau and the surrounding area.

While the tax credits can be helpful, much of the fundraising was done before the credits were approved. Thank you to all who support the museum.

We look forward to watching the facility grow in the coming years.