• Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
Cloudy

Marquette
Cloudy 64°

Clear

Escanaba
Clear 69°

Clear

Houghton
Clear 66°

Partly Cloudy

Iron Mountain
Partly Cloudy 66°

Watch
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
No Result
View All Result
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
No Result
View All Result

Shiras Planetarium preparing for major renovation

by Samuel McKnight
November 18, 2024 - Updated on November 19, 2024
A A

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Shiras Planetarium has been a staple of Marquette and the MAPS school district since it opened in 1965.

Now it’s getting a much needed upgrade.

“There’s really so many ways that we could use this space that is way bigger than just a classroom for our students,” said Shiras Planetarium Director Becky LaBrecque. “Which is really what the planetarium is right now.”

“We’re going to be able to take feet off the ground and launch on adventures that have never before been done in the Shiras and it’s super exciting,” said Shiras Planetarium Technician Jacob Phillips.

Since the old digital projector broke in 2017, the facility has been doing what it can with the equipment it has.

“One of the things we did is install a laser system and that really saved our facility,: said LaBrecque. “Having a laser system and doing laser shows and making that our focus and creating laser shows with students is really what kept us open at all.”

With the help of local fundraising and state grants the Planetarium has most of the million dollars it needs for the renovation.

“The Friends of Shiras Planetarium group formed and started to bring together other partners to the table,” said LaBrecque. “That’s when we saw some partnerships come in from other foundations and businesses and organizations. That process is what’s got us to just over $760,000.”

A new cutting-edge digital projector is being ordered from Germany, that the staff said will create countless new opportunities in the space.

“This’ll be the type of facility that is so rare that we’ll get people travelling here to see the facility,” said LaBrecque. “We already have requests to have conferences here. This’ll be something that will help the tourism industry of Marquette.”

“It opens a lot of capability that we don’t currently have,” said Phillips. “And that will extend into astronomy and beyond.”

The Planetarium will close temporarily sometime in early 2025 to finish the renovation process, and plans to be open to the public with the new improvements by September of that same year.

Shiras Planetarium is fundraising to cover the last $240,000 of the renovation cost, if you’re interested in donating, or want to learn about the planetarium’s “Adopt a Star” program, check out the Friends of Shiras Planetarium website.

Get WZMQ 19 anytime, anywhere

Download the app

AppleAndroid

Watch on TV

RokuFire TVZeam

Connect on social media

FacebookTwitterInstagram

More

News

The Harley Owners Group Rally is in town

June 27, 2025
News

Tree-Ripe Fruit Co. making first of two summer trips to U.P.

June 27, 2025
News

Flourish Financial celebrates renovation and expansion in Marquette

June 26, 2025 - Updated on June 27, 2025
The Wednesday Night Farmers Market fills downtown Marquette with all kinds of goods, Including fresh produce and delicious food.
News

Marquette’s Wednesday Night Farmers Market draws big crowds

June 25, 2025 - Updated on June 26, 2025
The city of Marquette officially dedicated the Marquette Cultural Trail Wednesday across from Gaines Rock.
News

Marquette’s Cultural Trail opens

June 25, 2025 - Updated on June 26, 2025
News

The Concert on the Steps series continues with or without rain

June 25, 2025 - Updated on June 26, 2025
Next Post

Insights: Winter Wonderland Walk at the Peter White Public Library

Wet Today. Some Wet Snow Later On

  • Home
  • News
  • Weather
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Events
  • Programming
  • Station
WZMQ CBS | 19 News

© 2025 WZMQ, LLC | FCC Public File | EEO Report

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
  • Events
  • Programming
    • Programming Guide
    • CBS
    • MeTV
    • Start TV
    • Heroes & Icons
    • Court TV
    • ION
  • Station
    • About Us
    • Community Involvement
    • Mobile App
    • Meet the Team
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Advertising
    • Request Copy of Story
    • FCC Public File
    • EEO Report
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
  • Events
  • Programming
    • Programming Guide
    • CBS
    • MeTV
    • Start TV
    • Heroes & Icons
    • Court TV
    • ION
  • Station
    • About Us
    • Community Involvement
    • Mobile App
    • Meet the Team
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Advertising
    • Request Copy of Story
    • FCC Public File
    • EEO Report
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our privacy policy.
Go to mobile version