Press release from The Health Adventure:
As part of the required move from our home in the Biltmore Square Mall, it is with great sadness that The Health Adventure announces that its final day in operation will be July 14, 2013. The Health Adventure has been an excellent, one-of-a-kind children’s science and health center serving the western North Carolina area for 45 years.
“We are grateful to have been an important part of the education system and to have served as a center of family engagement. The years of support of The Health Adventure from our members, guests, donors, sponsors, schools and elected officials is greatly appreciated. We are also very grateful for the tremendous support that Park Ridge Health has provided for more than two years as we worked together to educate children for a healthier western North Carolina. Thank you to all who have helped us for the opportunity to be part of this wonderful community for so many years,” stated Dr. Mark Knollman, Chairman of the Board of Advisors.
Dr. Knollman further stated, “The Health Adventure is proud of its many accomplishments. The closure is in no way indicative of a decreased commitment to excellence. Our closure has been caused by the redevelopment of the Biltmore Square Mall and their decision to not let us continue to operate in the new outlet center model. When the news was announced in early May that tenants would be required to move, we chose to not continue with our business model of operating through selling annual memberships supported with philanthropy. Additionally, we recently learned that in July, we will be losing 40 percent of our funding from the State of North Carolina. The forced relocation of our facility after the tremendous investment in this new exceptional location, as well as the funding cuts, are devastating, and it is simply too much to financially bear to attempt a third move in three years.”
Memberships will be honored through the closure date on July 14, and information is being sent to all current members who may wish to receive prorated reimbursements on the remaining months of their memberships should they not want to maintain their membership, which allows entrance into more than 300 other science centers in the country. General admission fees will be in effect for non-members who wish to visit The Health Adventure until July 14.
Paige Wheeler, Executive Director of The Health Adventure commented, “The closure will leave a significant void in our community. We can only hope that someday the right combination of partners can come together to fill this void with another interactive science and health center worthy of our community. It has been an honor to serve the children and families of western North Carolina.”
Jason Wells, Vice President at Park Ridge Health, added, “We are so proud of The Health Adventure team and their many years of service to kids and families in our community. The new location at the Biltmore Square Mall has been a tremendous blessing. We are sad about the decision by leadership of the new outlet mall, but we respect their new plans. We continue to be hopeful that a partner will step up and help develop a destination for healthy learning and play so that the 45-year journey of excellence can continue.”
About The Health Adventure:
The Health Adventure is located in the Biltmore Square Mall off of I-26 at Exit 33. Providing our community with science and health education for 45 years, The Health Adventure is an accredited museum and is a non-profit 501(c)(3). The Health Adventure is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sundays from 12:30 to 6 p.m. For more information, visitthehealthadventure.org or call 828.665.2217.
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