Great River Children’s Museum Celebrating Start of Construction October 7th

Originally published September 12th, 2023 4:31 p.m.

Updated October 6th, 6:23 a.m.

(KNSI) – The Great River Children’s Museum is holding a Building Block(s) Party on Saturday.

It coincides with the beginning of construction on the new downtown St. Cloud site. The outdoor celebration runs October 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Kids will get a chance to dig in the sand, make dirt cakes, and get a tour of a construction truck and other heavy equipment.

The party spot is in the Canoe Lot off 8th Avenue South. Bob the Builder outfits are optional as your kids interact with a real-life Tonka truck, but they are encouraged.

The Great River Children’s Museum got $7 million in bonding money in the last legislative session. It was supported across bipartisan lines by state Senator Aric Putnam and representatives Dan Wolgamott and Bernie Perryman.

The museum has raised over $10 million through other means. Construction should take 12 to 15 months to complete. The GRCM will eventually feature over 31,000 square feet of exhibit and play space. It is intended to serve 12 counties, including 64 school districts and over 120 elementary schools. Annual attendance is projected to be more than 125,000 people.

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