Santa Clarita-based construction contractor AMG & Associates Inc. and luminaries from Los Angeles and across Southern California celebrated the grand opening Thursday of the Discovery Science Foundation’s Discovery Cube Los Angeles at Hansen Dam.

AMG was awarded a $3.411 million contract and served as the project’s general contractor, transforming an existing facility owned by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Located at Hansen Dam Recreation Center, 11800 West Foothill Boulevard in Pacoima, Discovery Cube LA is the sister facility of Discovery Cube Orange County. Discovery Cube LA is the first major museum in the San Fernando Valley and is dedicated to educating and inspiring young people through science-based exhibits and programs that focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) proficiency; environmental stewardship; early learning; and healthy living. It is anticipated that Discovery Cube LA will serve 180,000 visitors; 20,000 students on field trips; and 75,000 students through offsite outreach programs in its first year and create more than 100 full-time and part-time jobs.

From left: Wendy Greuel with Albert and Maggie Giacomazzi of AMG & Associates.

“We could not be more pleased with Discovery Cube LA,” said Albert Giacomazzi, AMG’s President and CEO. “The facility is a tremendous resource for the Los Angeles region, truly state-of-the-art, with interactive exhibits that will not only be fun for young people but will also inspire many of them to delve more deeply into math and science.”

The Grand Opening celebration kicked off with a lively performance by the Fenton Charter Public School Children’s Choir. The program’s speakers included Kafi D. Blumenfield, Discovery Cube LA Executive Director; Joe Adams, DSF CEO; Discover Cube Board Member and community leader, The Honorable Wendy Greuel; California Secretary of State, The Honorable Alex Padilla; Luc Robitaille, President, LA Kings; and astronaut Dr. Yvonne Cagle. And the event concluded with a bang—a surprising midday fireworks display—before Discovery Cube LA’s doors officially opened to the public.

Giacomazzi added, “Everyone at AMG was delighted to be part of this exciting day. And we feel honored that our team’s great work on Discovery Cube LA will play an important role in the lives of young people for generations.”