Discovery Center prepares to debut $1M gallery

The Discovery Center of Springfield Inc. is preparing to launch a new gallery that officials with the nonprofit say is the largest expansion in more than 15 years at the downtown science center.

Dubbed Jurassic Discovery Unearthed by Central Bank and Central Trust, the gallery featuring animatronic dinosaurs is scheduled to debut on Sept. 16, according to a news release.

Discovery Center Chief Operations Officer Tyler Moles said the gallery is valued at just above $1 million, funded primarily through a gift from Central Bank and Central Trust. More than 25 dinosaurs are featured, he said.

"I think a lot of people are not going to understand the scale of this until they see it," Moles said via email. "We believe that this major gallery expansion will bring even more prosperity and vitality to the city and to this region. There is no other exhibit like this in a multistate area."

The dinosaurs included in the gallery are a Tyrannosaurus rex, long-necked Elasmosaurus and Triceratops, according to the release.

"Jurassic Discovery is a one-of-a-kind exhibit for the Springfield region to have, and Central Bank is very excited to get to be a part of such a unique project," said Joselyn Baldner, president and CEO of Central Bank of the Ozarks, in the release. "Jurassic Discovery not only opens the door for the children in our own back yard to go on an adventure with their families, but it also provides visitors to our community the opportunity for a truly special prehistoric experience when they come to Springfield.”