Spaceport America, the City of Truth or Consequences, and Follow The Sun, Inc., are pleased to announce the location of the Spaceport America Visitor Center in the Truth or Consequences downtown historic district. The Spaceport America Visitor Center will be located in an historic adobe building built in 1935 featuring many beautiful original features from that era.
“It is a wonderful contrast of the old frontier meeting the new frontier,” said Spaceport America Executive Director Christine Anderson. “This location will also allow our visitors easy access to many of the interesting shops in the downtown area,” she added.
The City of Truth or Consequences-owned building is across the street from the Sierra Grande Lodge and Spa, recently purchased by Ted Turner, and is the headquarters for the Turner nature, adventure and experiential tours. The Sierra Grande Lodge is also the home of a newly opened world-class restaurant.
Truth or Consequences Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Green said, “The city will soon start development of the Healing Waters Plaza next to the Visitor Center with expected completion by spring 2016, in time for the city’s Centennial Celebration.” He added, “The city is excited about the future growth and tremendous economic development prospects.”
Follow The Sun, Inc., the Spaceport America tour operator, will be basing tours to Spaceport America from the new visitor center. Rose Bleth, the president of Follow The Sun, Inc., said, “The tour company will be increasing their spaceport tours from three days a week to five from the new spaceport Visitor Center, and will be hiring more people to accommodate the expansion and expected demand for spaceport special events with the introduction of the full Visitor Experience.”
The Spaceport America Visitor Center in Truth or Consequences and the expanded Visitor Experience in the Gateway Gallery located in the Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space Building at the spaceport will feature multiple educational, space-themed displays and interactive exhibits for all ages. The Gateway Gallery is expected to open for business in March, 2015, and the Spaceport America Visitor Center in Truth or Consequences will follow with its opening in May of 2015.
