UNIVERSAL CITY : Science Event Raises Interest, Not Funds

A three-month science carnival in Universal City failed to raise as much money as its backers had hoped but generated enough interest to prove the area wants a permanent museum, the project’s founder said.

The Science Carnival & Maze attracted 60,043 people and made $454,243 through admissions, gift shop sales and corporate donations, according to Nick Brestoff, president and founder of Discovery Pavilion, the nonprofit organization behind the exhibit. Planning and presenting the exhibit cost $473,725, Brestoff said. He said the group expects to make up the difference through donations.

“What I’m a little sad about is we’re not coming out of it with any seed money for the next steps,” Brestoff said. Discovery Pavilion hopes to build a $5-million to $10-million children’s science museum with hands-on displays in the San Fernando Valley. “We’ve proven the need,” he said.

Brestoff said he is looking at sites in Chatsworth, North Hollywood, Universal City, Burbank and the Sepulveda Basin. He said he is also considering a temporary home in a mall.