Space Awaits – EPISD Announces El Paso Planetarium Opening

Good news stargazers and lovers of elementary school field trips; the Gene Roddenberry Planetarium is making a return.

After being closed for more than a year due to both the pandemic and its relocation, the planetarium will be “opening soon,” according to the El Paso Independent School District.

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The district made the announcement on its social media platforms posting an artsy 30-second clip highlighting its new home along with an exclamation-filled message that read, “We know you’ve missed us! The Gene Roddenberry Planetarium is coming back soon! Stay tuned!"

The Planetarium’s New Location

As a result of the 2016 EPISD Bond modernization plan resulting in the consolidation of Dowell, Schuster and Crosby schools to the new Coach Archie Duran Elementary this upcoming school year, the new Gene Roddenberry Planetarium has a new home in Northeast El Paso at the former Crosby Elementary site.

Funding for the new space exploration facility was made possible after the district partnered with the City of El Paso to acquire a grant that would cover the cost of relocating to and renovating a section of Crosby so it could accommodate the planetarium's 40-foot dome, and create a star gazing park and parking.

When Does it Open?

So, how “soon” is soon? No one involved is saying anything other than "stay tuned," but whenever it might be I’m just happy the powers that be found a way to keep the only planetarium in the region open so that new generations of kids from all over El Paso can experience the amazing night sky and our vast solar system not just on school field trips like we once did but by attending the free public programming offered during the summer.