GRAND ISLAND, Neb.- After five years of planning, a Central Nebraska Museum is finally getting constructed. 

On Friday morning, museum officials and community members gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of what is now known as the EPIC Discovery Center. 

Executive Director Alison Larson said it's been a long time coming. 

“This is an epic day for us. We’ve been working on this project for five years," said Larson. "The average children’s museum of this scope is typically 5 to 10 years so the timeline is actually long. We’re right in there. We’re excited to be here is a big step, is a  big culmination of a lot of work.” 

In 2022, the board of directors announced the old armory building on Old Potash Highway next to Ryder Park as the museum’s site. Back then, it was known as the Grand Island Children’s Museum before rebranding earlier this year as the EPIC Discovery Center. 

The 18,000 square feet STEAM-based children museum will feature two stories of exhibit floor space. It will offer programming spaces, a kitchen, retail, office space, and outside access via two large garage doors.

“We have schematics and renderings and those change daily, weekly because we think of something better or bigger or we make a consideration that changes things," said Larson. "We are always working through the planning stages. “

Right now, they are working to seal the building up so that they can work on the inside. 

The museum was awarded a $5 million grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s 2023 Shovel-Ready Grant Program. The grant will match all gifts to help develop EPIC Discovery Center.

Donations and pledges are still accepted. Chief Construction is in charged of the $13.2 million project.

EPIC Discovery Center is tentatively planning to open early 2026.