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04/12/2005

Source: BizTimes Daily

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The community phase of the fundraising campaign for the new Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin was officially launched today. The campaign is being co-chaired by Dennis Kuester, chairman and chief executive officer of the Marshall & Ilsley Corp., and Paul Purcell, president and CEO of Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. "The new Discovery World center will create an environment where ingenuity, creativity, discovery and adventure will flourish," Kuester said. "The new center will encourage our community – children and adults of all ages – to embrace the opportunities for personal exploration both in the world of science and technology and in our natural world." A $59 million campaign is under way to fund development of the project. Of that total, $45.5 million will be used for site development, construction and start-up costs; $11 million will be used for exhibits and aquariums; and $2.5 million will be used for maintenance and endowment. Commitments to date total $39.2 million, of which more than $31 million has been contributed by individuals, foundations and corporations. In addition, $8.2 million in financing has been secured to be supported by parking and facility rental charges. The new Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin is under construction at the old Municipal Pier site and is due to be completed in spring of 2006. The center also will be the home of the Denis Sullivan lake schooner. "Our fundraising efforts have received a full-throttle send-off with a multimillion dollar lead gift that will cover the costs of the facility's two large aquariums," said Michael Cudahy, chairman of the Discovery World board of directors. "We're extremely appreciative of this generous gift by Bobbi and Roy Reiman and their family. These two aquariums - one freshwater and the other saltwater - are key elements of the project. They will serve as an important new educational tool, especially for children, and will have a major impact on our community and our region for many years to come." Purcell said, "Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin is extending its mission to the natural world. It will be the first complex in the nation to connect our natural world to our human-made world through innovation and exploration, technology and the environment. The new center will serve as a national model, continuing to enhance Milwaukee's image throughout the country and the world. I'm proud to serve as a co-chair for this worthwhile project."