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Planetarium Is Saved
By Bill McLaughlin
One of Ocean County's most popular educational facilities will get a major facelift thanks to an announcement by the county Board of Chosen Freeholders at their biweekly pre-board meeting Wednesday.
The county administration will chip in $2 million to help refurbish the Robert J. Novins Planetarium on the campus of Ocean County College, Hooper Avenue, Toms River.
Freeholder James F. Lacey asked a pledge in that amount be introduced at the open public meeting next Tuesday, July 3.
Lacey said the Ocean County College Foundation and an ad hoc Save the Planetarium Fund worked hard to rally public support for rehabilitating both the building and its main attraction, the viewing telescope.
The OCC Foundation pledged $250,000 from its annual fundraiser and $375,000 more through the group's "Reach for the Stars" campaign. Individuals young and old privately donated $50,000.
Lacey said about $650,000 will pay for the equipment upgrade and the balance will be used to fix the exterior and interior of the building. Also, classrooms will be constructed for use by OCC students, making the building more cost effective to the college.
"There are two parts to this," said Freeholder Director John P. Kelly. "The equipment is being purchased by the community with donated money. The building needs some renovations to also be used for classrooms. This way, the building pays for its upkeep."
Kelly said he was impressed by the wellspring of public emotion over the closing of the facility.
"We have responded to the will of the community," Kelly said. "For the (OCC) Foundation and these citizen groups to raise that kind of money is outstanding."
The planetarium opened more than 30 years ago and provides extra-classroom support to students from elementary school to college in the field of astronomy and space exploration. Over 30,000 visitors a year - many school children on field trips - use the facility.
Basic improvements to the façade and mechanical and electrical systems, and bathroom facilities may begin as soon as bids could be let. A remodeling of the lobby, theater and staff support rooms is also planned.
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