Foord Foundation helps Okanagan Science Centre with much-needed roof repairs

Photo: File photo

A donation to the Okanagan Science Centre has people cheering from the rooftop.

The Foord Family Foundation has provided $32,000 to assist the non-profit with substantial repairs to the roof of the science centre.

“Upgrading the roof was essential to preserving the integrity of the facility and its unique exhibits and educational opportunities. This project wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of the Foord family and we thank them for their ongoing commitment to the community,” said Dione Chambers, OSC executive director.

The OSC is dedicated to promoting science to residents and visitors, and as part of its lease with the City of Vernon, it is responsible for ongoing maintenance of the historic building.

Roof repairs were identified as necessary during a 2016 engineering report and through further structural analysis in 2020.

“At the same time that we were faced with repairs, admission revenue decreased about 80 per cent in 2020 because of the pandemic. As a result, community donations such as the one from the Foord family are extremely important to the ongoing operations of the science centre and its mandate of creating awareness about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM),” said Chambers.

The Okanagan Science Centre, in Polson Park, is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To learn more about the OSC and summer camp opportunities for youth, click here.