SANTA ANA : Science Center Gets Rockwell Donation

To help build the city’s ambitious Discovery Science Center, officials for Rockwell International Corp. this week donated the first in a series of checks that will eventually total $300,000.

At an hourlong meeting with Discovery Science Center officials Tuesday, Rockwell representative John A. McLuckey gave the center a check for $50,000. Rockwell will fulfill the rest of its $300,000 pledge in installments over the next five years, said Discovery Science Center spokeswoman Karen Johnson.

The gift brings to about $15 million the amount raised to fund construction of the center. Although it will cost an estimated $37.5 million to build, officials are confident that the current fund-raising campaign will make up the remainder within two years, Johnson said.

Groundbreaking will begin once 70% of the cost has been collected.

The museum, which will include an IMAX big-screen theater and a variety of interactive educational displays, is expected to open in mid-1994.

The three-story, 88,000-square-foot museum will be built at 20th and Main streets. It is aimed at spurring interest in science in youngsters and will feature exhibits on health, aerospace and the environment.