By Sallie James
The beloved Boca Raton Children’s Museum temporarily closed its doors on Dec. 19 to make way for changes that will take place under a new boss: the city’s Recreation Services Department.
Boca Raton is taking over the popular, but cash-strapped, kids’ destination in hopes of keeping the facility open for a long, long time. A reopening date had not been scheduled.
Florence Fuller Child Development Centers handed over the keys last month after taking charge on Oct. 20, 2014, when the museum nearly closed because of dire financial straits. The museum has been on life support for years.
Museum officials are hopeful the new arrangement will give the museum a new lease on life.
“The city has the resources and the ability to really enhance the museum and bring it to the level it should be,” said Ellyn Okrent, president and CEO of Florence Fuller. “A lot is going on with the city with the (Brightline) and the revitalization of the downtown. It was just a good time.
“It’s a great story. There are no secrets. The city is going to make the investments to reopen it and make it better and an even more exciting place for our families.”
No one from the city could be reached for comment during the holidays.
A Dec. 13 memo on the museum website noted that the city will “communicate with residents and visitors about the status of the assessment, programming and reopening dates.” The memo says questions and comments can be sent to ChildrensMuseum@myboca.us.
Mary Sol Gonzalez, chair of the museum’s board, told City Council members in September that 25,858 people visited over the past year. The council gave the nonprofit a $20,000 general grant in its 2020 budget.
Boca Raton also gave the museum $100,000 two years ago to renovate its cottage.
Okrent said the takeover is good news for the museum.
“They want to make it a destination place for children and families for our community,” Okrent said. “We gave it a lifeline for over five years.”
Okrent said the buildings have been refurbished with new roofs, new air conditioning and that they were tented for termites. Sidewalks were also installed.
“I think it has a really bright future and we’re very excited about it,” she said.
Any outstanding museum memberships will be paid back on a pro-rated basis.
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