LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Westchester Opens Its Doors For The First Time With Help From Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, Forest City Ratner Companies Chairman/CEO Bruce Ratner And Other Officials As Attraction's Life-size, Lovable Mascot "Bertie" Smashed Through 7' X 10' Wall Of Colorful LEGO® Bricks During Grand Opening Ceremony At Ridge Hill In Yonkers
YONKERS, N.Y., March 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of the grand opening of LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Westchester at Ridge Hill in Yonkers, this morning Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC) Chairman/CEO Bruce Ratner, Merlin Entertainments executive James Burleigh and other officials were joined by 13 metro-area schoolchildren wearing yellow hardhats as the attraction's life-size, lovable mascot "Bertie," smashed through a 7' x 10' wall constructed of colorful LEGO® bricks, revealing the entrance to a line of anxious guests waiting to enter.
"The effort to bring the ultimate interactive and creative family experience to Yonkers and beyond has been a true collaborative undertaking, one that I believe is going to have an extremely positive impact on the community," said Merlin Entertainments Divisional Director of Midway Developments, James Burleigh. "We look forward to creating some wonderful memories for all the children and families visiting the attraction."
The ceremony celebrated the opening of LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester, beginning with brief remarks from Mayor Spano, County Executive Rob Astorino, Merlin Entertainments, James Burleigh and Bruce Ratner, who leads FCRC -- developer of the Ridge Hill complex.
Following the colorful wall break, Mayor Spano, County Executive Astorino and other event participants were each joined by a member of the attraction's Junior Construction Panel to enjoy a Grand Opening inaugural ride on "Merlin's Apprentice"— a flying wizard ride where guests pedal faster to make their seats rise into the air.
Just the fifth such location in the nation – the first in the Northeast – LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester is a $12 million, 32,300 square-foot, indoor attraction geared towards children ages 3-10 and their families. Its range of educational and interactive experiences includes hands-on play areas, a 4D cinema, master classes led by Master Model Builders, two LEGO amusement rides and MINILAND -- the venue's signature re-creation of landmark locations and buildings throughout Westchester County and New York City, made entirely out of more than 1 million LEGO bricks.
The attraction is a fun and educational destination that is also ideal for groups and school trips, providing teachers with a wide range of hands-on learning experiences, bringing the worlds of math, science and technology to life outside the classroom. To purchase tickets and annual passes, or for more information, visit http://www.LEGOLANDDiscoveryCenter.com/Westchester/. For group sales call 866-243-0770. Follow us at www.facebook.com/LDCWestchester and www.twitter.com/LDCWestchester. LEGOLAND Discovery Center is part of the Merlin Entertainments Group.
SOURCE LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester
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