A record-breaking year
Despite the snow, blizzards and ice over the last couple of weeks, we have already exceeded our 2009 visitor numbers and by the end of 2010 will have welcomed over 245,000 visitors to Eureka!.
Enthusiastic reception for the Annual Pass
The introduction of the Annual Pass has been an enormous success for the business and has been enthusiastically received by the public. Combined with a review of our expenditure, it has resulted in Eureka! exceeding financial targets for the year.
On the way to 'Me and My World'
The first phase of Eureka!’s master plan for the site got off to a successful start with the receipt of a £1.45 million grant from the Wellcome Trust towards the development of the new £2.9 million flagship gallery Me and My World. Since the announcement over £300,000 has been raised for the project.
Giving families 'A Break to Play'
A Break For Play, a fantastic new project supporting children with autism and their families began in 2010. Supported by Calderdale Council’s Aiming Higher for Disabled Children, the programme provides a structured and relaxed environment where families can find time to play. With funding for a three year programme for SEN children from Esmee Fairburn just confirmed, Eureka! looks forward to developing its play-based learning expertise while supporting families with special needs.
Outdoor play improvements & exhibits
The Wonder Walk exhibit opened in the summer as a new addition to our outdoor area, offering visitors the chance to take off their shoes and experience a fully sensory walk. This was the first stage of the development of the outdoor play space at Eureka!. Eureka!’s private nursery also received funding to develop its outdoor play provision and the new nursery space better reflects the Eureka! experience.
Partnerships for success
A new partnership with Northern Rail resulted in the refurbishment of the railway carriage that is used as an additional eating space for schools and public visitors. It now includes safety messages about the railways through table top games. The partnership won the Halifax Evening Courier’s Community and Environment Award for Best Partnership and was a finalist for the Creating Better Futures Awards
Community outreach
Eureka! outreach activities continued to grow and support the local community, with over 7,000 children taking part in projects over the year. 2010 activities included work with Healthy Halifax through our touring exhibition Mission:Active Future, resulting in research that demonstrates the difference the project has made to children’s activity levels. Other healthy themes included the ‘Jump to the Beat’ touring workshop promoting heart health and Scurvy Sam, a schools workshop teaching about healthy eating.
