Parks Science and Astronomy Center
Solutions.
The Parks Science and Astronomy Center will serve youth (age 5 through teen), their caregivers, educators, and adults. Early projections indicate that the center could expect in excess of between 5,000 and 10,000 students attending classes and programs in the first year.
To fill a demand . . .
The Simi Valley School District is the largest school district in Ventura County, enrolling more than 18,000 students in 21 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 1 adult school, and an alternative school. With more than 125,000 people living within a 25-mile radius of the Center, there are many opportunities for children and their families to experience discovery at the Parks Center.
A partner to area schools . . .
With school budget cuts, the Center will be in a position to partner with area school districts and serve as an extension of learning in the classroom setting throughout the Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange County areas.
For the community . . .
The Cultural Heritage Tourism website states that " A growing number of visitors are becoming special-interest travelers who rank the arts, heritage and/or other cultural activities as one of the top five reasons for traveling. These visitors are known as cultural tourists." In other words, there is an important class of tourists who travel to a region for museums, the arts, and learning activities. The economic benefits to the communities in which these cultural destinations reside are tangible and measurable. Families who attend classes at the Parks Center will eat at the local restaurants, use gas stations, stay at local hotels, use entertainment venues, patronize the local businesses, and be inclined to explore the businesses who support the Center.