District officials say hundreds of thousands of dollars are to be raised privately to offset a taxpayer contribution toward an upgrade of the planetarium at New Canaan High School and that the revamped facility would be used by students as well as the wider community.
The projector at the planetarium in New Canaan High School. Photo courtesy of Mike Horyczun
The ca.-1970 planetarium and its original projector have been “aged out for a while,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Luizzi told the Board of Selectmen at a Jan. 23 budget hearing, held in Town Hall.
“We use it for our programs, but the opportunities that are there at the planetarium are enormous. The new technology now allows you to change the projector out and put a new projector in that use the dome as the screen in an immersive environment. And if you have been to the Natural History Museum or others and have seen a planetarium show, you have seen that this is an immersive experience that is focused on not only astronomy but multi-disciplinary, across anything, any age, any discipline, any subject.”
The planetarium in New Canaan High School. Photo courtesy of Mike Horyczun
To upgrade the projector, sound system, dome and seats in the planetarium would cost about $1 million, Luizzi said.
The selectmen at a subsequent meeting voted 3-0 in favor of a capital spending plan that includes $550,000 in taxpayer funding for the planetarium. (The capital plan, and proposed town operating budget, now sit with the Board of Finance, and the Town Council will take them up next.)
“We anticipate fundraising the difference between the ask and the total cost” under a public-private partnership, Luizzi said.
The Board of Education signaled its intention to request town funds for a refurbishment of the planetarium one year ago.
Luizzi said there’s “excitement in the community about this.”
“This new system is digital and much more user friendly, would be approachable and usable by anyone with an interest in doing so,” he said. “So the opportunities for our kids are enormous. But also the community. This is an opportunity for fundraising in a variety of ways. For instance, are folks in town, as you know, who are very involved with the entertainment industry and broadcasting and others. And they have expressed an interest in this. And we do believe that we could open up to the community at different times as a very appealing and interesting experience for kids and community members.”
Selectman Nick Williams asked whether the Board of Ed has a policy on naming rights (yes, adopted a few months ago), whether the policy allows for corporate sponsorship (yes and the district thinks “there is opportunity there,” Luizzi said) and whether a copy of the policy could be passed along (sure).
The selectmen’s proposed budget calls for tax-funded capital projects of $1.72 million, down about .64% from current spending.
Have any detailed proposals been submitted outlining how the town could monetize a refurbished planetarium?
Perhaps the sticker shock might not be as great if those responsible for the project could elaborate on the opportunities to earn revenue as a field trip destination for nearby school districts, through single-entry or membership fees for recreational visits by local families and individuals during weekends/holidays, etc.
Transparency around estimated ROI would go a long way.
Hah. That’s how the fields / track project was pitched. It was going to be
monetized. People were going to flock to town as a result of this new venue. Thousands of dollars in revenue generated from use fees.
It’s been 3 years and there still is not a plan in place.
One has to wonder: would the million dollars additional busing costs resulting from the dubious new school start time plan would be better spent on projects like the planetarium ?