UTICA — Mastrovito Hyundai, 5194 Commercial Drive in Yorkville, has committed a multi-year gift of $100,000 to the Utica Children’s Museum, which will be located in ICAN’s Family Resource Center, currently under construction at 106 Memorial Parkway, Utica.

Mastrovito’s $100,000 gift sponsors the Let’s Play Pond area of the museum in the Seasons Exhibit. The donation contributes to the overall project total of $14 million, which includes site improvements, museum exhibit design and the addition of the rotunda — a signature architectural element on the south side of the new facility.

“As a big hockey family, we are very excited to sponsor the Let’s Play Pond area of the museum,” said dealership owner Frank Mastrovito. “I grew up playing hockey and always skating, and now my three boys are hockey players, so it means a lot to us to be able to offer this experience to all the children coming to the museum.”

“The Mastrovito family has taken a big role in advancing our community in so many ways, especially supporting efforts that benefit children,” said Donna Migliaccio, director of the Utica Children’s Museum. “Their contribution to the new Children’s Museum project is helping build a legacy for families throughout our region for generations to come. The community will soon learn more about the Let’s Play Pond Area and all of the exhibits that will be part of the all-new museum space.”

The Utica Children’s Museum is slated to open in late 2023, just in time for its 60th birthday, officials said, adding it will be an entirely new experience for families in the Mohawk Valley, promoting children’s educational success by providing play-based experiences that are also aligned with the state’s Common Core Standards.

The museum will also provide a space and be a catalyst for post-pandemic healing for all and will offer needed socialization, connection and joy as well as hands-on educational experiences, the announcement said, adding the reimagined facility will be based on 21st century concepts of trauma-informed, universal design in a fun and engaging environment.

Its location on Memorial Parkway accents the family-friendly corridor into which the Parkway is transforming, officials added. The location gives this new facility visibility, accessibility via public transport, and proximity to nearby family-friendly venues such as Utica Zoo, the new NYPA Visitor Center and Energy Zone, Valley View, Parkway Rec Center, the outdoor amenities of Roscoe Conkling Park and Sal Longo Field. 

The all-new exhibits being created for the new Children’s Museum will be reflective of the community we live in, promoting a strong theme of “Love Where You Live” and will showcase culture, STEM concepts, innovation and much more, the announcement said.

“Multi-faceted experiences and content will provide stepping stones for our young visitors to explore skills and interests that could lead them to educational and workforce opportunities right here in the region,” the announcement said. “More details on each of the exhibit galleries and their contents is forthcoming. Regional and national experts are assisting with the project from architecture and conceptualization to creation of museum exhibits.”

The Family Resource Center will unite two regional assets: ICAN’s youth and family programs and the Utica Children’s Museum.

A hub for learning, wellness, connectedness and fun, this will be the first time that a children’s museum is co-located and partnered with a human services non-profit.

ICAN is scheduled to open the Family Resource Center for services later this year with such programs as supervised visitation, healthy families and nurturing parenting to be housed at the new Family Resource Center.

Founded in 1997, ICAN provides a home and community-based network for individualized and non-traditional services and care to the highest risk individuals and families with social, emotional, mental health and behavioral challenges.

Mastrovito Hyundai is a local, family-owned and operated dealership. Mastrovito Hyundai also emphasizes the importance of community support by giving back to local charities and not-for-profit organizations providing support to our community, officials said.