Donations picking up for Kamloops’s BIG Little Science Centre

An online fundraiser for Kamloops's BIG Little Science Centre has picked up over $23,000 in donations so far.

The organization is looking for public support to fund the recent renovations to their new downtown location at the old Value Village on Seymour Street.

Since 2002, the BIG Little Science Centre Society has "inspired our community’s children, their families and our teachers to explore and experience science in an entertaining and stimulating environment," the website says.

READ MORE: Province approves $35M for new Parkcrest Elementary school in Kamloops

Executive director Gord Stewart says the renovations are finished at the new location and they are looking forward to a grand opening when public health orders allow.

"We've sort of been off and on, but we're open now for individual families," Stewart said. "Right now we're booking two weeks in advance, and we can fit about four families a day between sanitations."

The BIG Little Science Centre was created 20 years ago by retired science teacher Gordon R. Gore.

Stewart said Gore took his science demonstrations on the road after retiring, operating from the back of his truck. The school district eventually offered a space for him to host his hands-on science experiences full time.

By moving to the new downtown location near the art gallery and Kamloops Film Society, the science centre is likely to gather more visitors and continue Gore's legacy, once public health orders allow for it.

They moved from their original location at Happyvale Elementary when the Kamloops school district had to shuffle classes due to the fire at Parkcrest Elementary in 2019.

The BIG Little Science Centre Society is a registered charitable organization. According to the GoFundMe, they hope to continue Gore's legacy by continuing to "inspire the kids of today to become the leaders in science and technology of tomorrow."

You can donate to the GoFundMe here or on the BIG Little Science Centre website here.

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