Exploration Place says county budget cut hindered EP 2 campaign; asks for clarity to avoid repeating disruption

Adam, the chief executive who represents Exploration Place in the county’s agreement, told commissioners that Exploration Place (EP) owns operations under a public–private arrangement in which Sedgwick County owns the buildings and the nonprofit operates programs. He said EP is leading a $27 million campaign for EP 2 and has raised $24 million toward that goal, with roughly $3 million remaining in pledges needed before next year’s opening. The county’s previous contribution to the campaign was $2.5 million.

Adam said a county midyear allocation cut last summer — a 10% reduction that he described as a $209,000 decrease to EP’s county allocation — materially disrupted the campaign’s momentum and forced midyear operational revisions. He said monthly new campaign pledges averaged $980,785 per month in the campaign’s first 20 months but have fallen to about $284,000 per month since the budget disruption. To bridge timing and cash-flow risk, EP has arranged a $7 million line of credit, delayed hires and postponed some program changes. “We are very keen not to repeat last year's issues,” Adam said; he said EP’s board will request a meeting with the commission to confirm the nonprofit’s final 2025–26 funding request before the county’s decisions are finalized.

Adam also described operational scale and capital needs: EP reported roughly 404,000 visitors in the last year, with about 76% Sedgwick County residents, and 10,700 member households. He said EP is planning for more than $10 million in building maintenance items in coming years, including roof, HVAC and electrical work for county-owned facilities.

Adam outlined other stress points: EP’s fiscal year begins July 1, while the county’s budget cycle is calendar-year, a mismatch that contributed to a midyear funding surprise; the midyear cut required EP to revise budgets and cancel or reduce programs and staff positions. He said the nonprofit remains committed to transparency and to operating the expanded EP 2 facility, targeted to open operationally by spring break with a formal celebration in May of next year.

The commission’s chair and other commissioners said they would follow up with EP’s board leadership to better understand operational needs and to avoid a repeat of last year’s disruption; the hearing did not include a vote but included a pledge to discuss alignment with EP leadership.