Fleet Science Center to begin major renovation in September

Balboa Park’s Fleet Science Center will break ground next month on a major renovation as part of its Science Starts Here Capital Campaign, it was announced this week.

The project will increase exhibit space by 20% within the museum’s existing footprint and “reconfigure the interior layout to enhance flow, create flexible program areas, and expand opportunities for hands-on exploration,” a statement from the institution read.

The project is slated to be completed in spring 2026. The museum said it will remain open during the project, continuing its exhibitions, IMAX films and public programs.

According to the museum, plans include restoring the building’s entrance to its original location, expanding and upgrading its café, adding a dedicated line and concessions area for the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater and converting the current entrance rotunda into a multi-use gallery space. Additionally, the project introduces a new free-to-the-public entrance gallery and a lower-level gallery reconfiguration, the museum statement reads.

The first phase of the capital campaign was modernizing the dome theatre. In November 2023, the Fleet retired its 70mm film projection system, touted as the world’s first and longest-running IMAX projector, and installed an IMAX Next Generation with laser projection system, a new sound system, planetarium software, upgraded seating and enhanced accessibility.

Updates on the renovation will be shared on the Fleet’s website and social media.

The capital campaign represents a $14.6 million investment for the museum’s 400,000 annual visitors.

“This renovation is not only a physical transformation but a strategic leap forward — building on a 50-year legacy to ensure the Fleet continues to lead as a vital, innovative, and accessible science hub for generations to come,” the institution’s statement reads.