LAS VEGAS -- In true Las Vegas fashion the Discovery Children's Museum grand opening was a celebration with years of planning and determination.
The idea behind the museum was to be hands and to capture the youngest of imaginations with 52,000-square feet, three floors of excitement and learning according to developers.
"It's been years of columniation of excitement, this was a brown field for heaven's sake, we were in a terrible pit and look at what's happened," Mayor Carolyn Goodman said. "This is imagination, creativity, science, and everything every child should experience."
While the museum is just days away from its official opening to the public, the celebration is part of the rebirth of the downtown area that's already been evolving.
"It really puts us on the map with regards to a children's museum that will essentially be the best in the United States," Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval said.
The museum officially opens to the public on March 9 with the first 1,500 people getting in for free.
"We had an event where a young child walked in the door and he was about 5 years old, he leaned his upper body back, looked up at one of our exhibits and he said wow," DISCOVERY Children's Museum rep. Linda Quinn said. "That wow was my moment and everything that I have worked for 7 years."
A 30-minute community pride special hosted by 8 News Now will feature the museum airing on March 14 at 6:30 p.m.
