Carnegie SportsWorks to close
PITTSBURGH — Carnegie Science Center has announced that its highly popular SportsWorks exhibition will close Aug. 24, to make way for a new, updated SportsWorks experience to open in a new facility in late summer 2009.
Planning is currently under way for updating the science-of-sport exhibition and moving it to a new, dedicated facility adjacent to the main Science Center building.
The new exhibition will include some of the current SportsWorks favorites and will add new, interactive experiences — many dealing with health-related topics. The addition of these new content themes reflects the Science Center's long-range plan to transform visitor experiences over the next several years in the areas of astronomy; robotics; forces, matter and motion; environmental science; scientific curiosity in early learners; and sports and the human body.
In 2007, the SportsWorks exhibition was condensed to create the touring exhibition space currently hosting "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition" and previously "BODIES: The Exhibition." "Titanic" closes Sept. 1. The new facility will house the SportsWorks exhibition, as well as Science on the Road, the Science Center's educational outreach program.
During the transition, the Science Center will be moving two of SportsWorks' most popular exhibits — the trampoline and orbitron human gyroscope — into the main building's atrium. This new Sports Atrium will feature these activities as well as images and updates on the planning and construction of the new SportsWorks exhibition and facility. The Sports Atrium will open Sept. 1 and will be included in general admission to the Science Center.
In late September, the Miller Building, which currently houses SportsWorks, will be transitioned to the Port Authority of Allegheny County to prepare for the development of Allegheny Station on a portion of the property.
Prior to the closing of SportsWorks, the Science Center is holding a final SportsWorks Sleepover on Aug. 15. Participants will spend the majority of the evening in the SportsWorks exhibition, climbing the 25-foot rock wall, bouncing on the trampoline, and trying to throw the perfect curveball in the pitching cage.
University of Pittsburgh athletes and cheerleaders will be in attendance in the evening and sleepover participants will have the opportunity to win tickets to a Pittsburgh Pirates game, and can meet the Pitt Panther.
In addition to the SportsWorks activities, sleepover participants can check out a movie in the Rangos Omnimax Theater, explore the main Science Center building exhibits, and experience a laser show.
The SportsWorks Sleepover costs $35 per person, and registration is required by calling 412-237-1637.
