Future Uncertain For Insights Museum

by Ken Molestina

EL PASO — An educational landmark in the Sun City in danger of closing its doors is making big strides to keep them open.

The Insights Science Museum in Downtown has been in a financial rut in recent times. Officials said this is mostly due to the fact that they are a non-profit organization and because they have spent more than budgeted on some of their bigger exhibits.

However, administrators now believe they are well on their way to reaching their fund raising goal $95,000. Most of their current donations have come by way of private businesses and individuals who have pitched in to help their plight. So far, they have been able to raise $70,000, they said. According to them, the city has agreed to match every dollar they bring in after they reach their goal.

Museum officials say the money they will get from the city will determine if they can afford to stay open. “Without those funds, the future of Insights is in doubt,” said Dr. Harry Cole, the museum’s executive director.

The museum, which has been in El Paso since 1980, is the only one of its kind in western Texas, according to administrators. They believe the museum serves as a supplemental education center for science students in El Paso.

Cole said another possible alternative would be to have school children across town pitch in to help the museum stay afloat. “I think we will begin to appeal to school children to the point where they will bring in their nickles and dimes,” said Cole. “That builds up into a big pile of money.”