A Major Step Forward: Children’s Museum Signs Second Construction Contract

In less than 30 days, the Grand Forks Children’s Museum will officially break ground, a moment that represents years of fundraising, planning, design work, and unwavering volunteer commitment. What began as a bold community vision is now on the cusp of becoming a real, physical place for children and families to learn, play, and belong. Each milestone feels more meaningful than the last, and this spring’s groundbreaking will mark the start of a new chapter in the Museum’s story.

The Museum has now reached another exciting milestone on its journey from vision to reality. The Building Committee, chaired by Dean Opp, officially signed Bid Package 2, authorizing the next phase of construction. With Bid Package 1 already completed, this second contract sets the stage for a spring construction start and brings the project one step closer to welcoming families from across the region.

Standing on the project site today, you can already feel the momentum building. The Altru Sports Complex is rising quickly, and Hugo’s Raceway BMX Track is advancing its own plans, including a new grandstand area alongside the track. Soon, the Grand Forks Children’s Museum will join them. Together, these projects will help shape a vibrant destination corridor, creating a hub for play, learning, recreation, and community pride. This area is transforming before our eyes, and the Museum will play a central role in making it a place families return to again and again.

Dean reflected on the significance of this moment, noting that “signing Bid Package 2 represents months of careful planning, collaboration, and commitment from our entire team. It’s a major step forward for the museum and for the volunteers who have spent years planning and fundraising, bringing us closer to creating a museum where every child can explore, imagine, and belong.”

While this contract marks real progress, the museum project is far from finished. Fundraising continues for the building campaign, with a focus on adding back key features that were temporarily paused as costs were evaluated. These elements, from enhanced exhibit components to family‑centered amenities, remain priorities, and continued community support will help ensure they are included in the final design.

Beyond construction, the Museum is also building long‑term sustainability through its operational endowment and supporting the development of the Grand Forks Park District’s Destination Park, which will sit adjacent to the Museum and the Altru Sports Complex. Together, these projects will create a connected, family‑friendly environment unlike anything else in the region.

The signing of Bid Package 2 is a moment worth celebrating, a clear signal that the Grand Forks Children’s Museum is moving forward with purpose, momentum, and strong community support. It is also a reminder that this project continues to grow through generosity, partnership, and shared belief in what this museum will mean for generations of children.

Now the focus turns to bringing the full vision to life through educational programming, an Outdoor Learning and Destination Park, and an endowment that keeps the institution strong for decades to come. This community built the foundation. Now we get to watch it root and rise.

As spring approaches, so does the start of construction, and with it, the promise of a museum built by and for the people of Grand Forks.

Katie Mayer, Executive Director, Grand Forks Children's Museum