Discovery center to begin hiring soon as construction progresses

By Chris Fortune

Construction is in full gear as exhibits begin to take shape at the inspireU Children’s Discovery Center.

New carpet and hand-painted walls are bringing the second floor, where many of the exhibits are located, to life.

The next step for discovery center director Katherine Patterson-Paronto is to begin hiring leaders in the next couple of weeks who will work alongside her at 521 Felix St.

“After that, we’ll go for the folks who are going to be working the floor and doing the education programs,” she said.

About 15 to 20 people will work at the discovery center, which Patterson-Paronto hopes to open in the middle of December.

“I’m approving the last bit of graphics that are going in,” she said. “Next, we’re working on the directional signage to tell you where to go and approving all of the construction of all the exhibits, so a lot of it is really fun, I’m not going to lie.”

Construction is progressing outside the building, with sidewalks being replaced on the east and south sides of the building as the city works to improve the surrounding infrastructure.

One of the biggest challenges for the crew is making sure everything fits together.

“This is unlike anything I’ve ever done before,” project superintendent Eric Link said.

Many of the workers under Link have families that he thinks will come visit inspireU when it opens.

“I’m sure they will,” he said. “I mean, it will be neat for them to come in here and say, ‘I helped build this.’”

Patterson-Paronto said the goal of the discovery center is for adults and their children to have a joyful connection and influence early childhood development.

“It’s so wonderful to be a part of that for families,” she said. “To help them build their connections in their lifelong learning.”

When jobs for the inspireU discovery center open, they will appear on Mosaic’s career page at careers.mlccareers.com.