Construction on Rancho Mirage observatory begins

It all started with an idea.

Rancho Mirage resident Marilyn Bauer suggested an observatory during a community meeting three years ago. Funding for the project was approved in June of 2015. Now the city is taking cues from Los Angeles and bringing astronomy to the people.

“About six months later, I started to hear little flitterings that perhaps they were going to research it for the city,” Bauer told CBS Local 2’s and KESQ News Channel 3’s Katie Widner. “I’m speechless.”

“We are going to be doing the same type of thing that the Griffith Observatory in Hollywood,” said Ashley Thomas McDermott, a professor of astronomy at the College of the Desert in Palm Desert.

McDermott is also the founder of the Astronomy Society of the Desert. He says the observatory will allow people to appreciate the beauty of the universe.

“It’s going to be a central focal point for education. For science. For children. For the public. For people like you and me,” he added.

The project broke ground Wednesday and is expected to be completed in September of 2017.

Mayor Ted Weill said it will be connected to the existing library, and added that the area turned out to be a prime location.

“We did an extensive study as far as light and any sort of light diffusion is concerned,” Weill said.

He said whatever is seen through the telescope will also be transmitted to a screen inside the library, which is a good thing because folks who already frequent it- cannot wait.

“I’m really excited about the observatory coming in,” said Samuel Matthews, who frequents the library. “It’s going to be really nice to come and see the stars.”

Weill said construction officially started Wednesday after the ceremony. He said there are currently no plans to charge admission and the facility will be open to the entire Coachella Valley.