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Upgrade would expel planetarium

By Ethan Forman
Staff writer
Published: June 26, 2009

DANVERS — Unlike the countless stars in the sky, the days of the Dunn Planetarium at Danvers High are numbered.

The planetarium's demise at the high school would be at least three years away, however. That's when the Dunn Link, a large connecting corridor from the Dunn Wing to the rest of the high school, would be demolished during a proposed renovation project, which has yet to win final approval. The dome sits on the top floor of the link.

"It gives us time to find another home," said the planetarium's director, Paul Mailloux, 62, of Peabody.

Mailloux says all is not lost, as the rebuilt star projector, which can project 2,000 stars and 88 constellations, and the inner, perforated aluminum dome could be moved to another part of town, an option he is exploring.

Mailloux and Superintendent Lisa Dana spoke yesterday about the planetarium's future.

"That positive energy was great," said Dana, who added Mailloux was glad there was time to find a new home.

"We are both optimistic," Dana said.

Mailloux, a retired Danvers science teacher, has skippered the planetarium at 64 Cabot Road for 20 years. In 2001, he was diagnosed with lymphoma, for which he was treated, and he retired in 2002. Still, Mailloux kept the planetarium going.

"Dr. Dana has been very supportive," Mailloux said. "We are growing, getting new programs. I've been very fortunate."

Dana said the planetarium would not be part of the renovation because "it didn't fit into the high school program," making it unlikely the Massachusetts School Building Authority would reimburse the town for its construction. Officials have estimated the high school renovation could cost Danvers taxpayers up to $45.3 million for the $80 million project, after state reimbursement.

Mainly elementary school groups, Brownie troops and other organizations from around the region book shows in the planetarium during the school year. The planetarium's operations are self-supporting, and it receives just $500 a year from the town for maintenance. Outside groups are charged $2.50 per child for an hourlong show. Danvers students stargaze free of charge.

"I enjoy it an awful lot. It's a nice form of teaching," Mailloux said.

Mailloux does not need a building with a dome to keep his star shows going, but a 950- to 1,100-square-foot space with a 30-foot-high ceiling.

And if the high school construction proceeds, the Dunn Wing and Link would not be torn down right away. They would be occupied by high school students as repairs are made to the 1960s academic wing and new core areas are constructed.

Once that phase is done, the 1972 corridor would be demolished. Mailloux estimates that is about three years away.

Until then, Mailloux intends to keep acquiring new shows. He updates older ones with materials he gets from Loch Ness Productions and NASA. The latter sends him DVDs, which he is able to project on the domed ceiling using two video projectors.

"We'll keep going until they tear it down or we move," Mailloux said.

Staff writer Ethan Forman can be reached at 978-338-2673 or eforman@salemnews.com.

It's not Done yet

The Dunn Planetarium reopens for Friday summer shows on July 10, 7 p.m.

Summer program: "The Moon, Our Companion in Space."

Photos