MENOMINEE, Mich. — A vision for family-friendly learning and play is becoming a reality as construction work continues on the future M&M Children's Museum in Menominee. Housed inside a former bowling alley, the museum aims to serve as a regional hub for hands-on education and exploration for children and families in the Marinette and Menominee areas.

Museum President and Founder Pam Lee shared updates on the transformation, pointing out the growing momentum behind the development of the exhibit space.

“We're going to have a little hydroponic area right here. We'll have water exhibits. We will have the workshop and art room,” Lee said, gesturing around the evolving space that once hosted bowlers and birthday parties.

Last year, one of the building’s major structural challenges was tackled — a leaky roof.

"Now our building is dry, and we are working with the architect to make final plans," Lee said, expressing optimism as the project moves into its next phase.

Those final plans are being shaped by U.P. Engineers & Architects, who are working closely with the museum team to assess the structure and ensure the space is up to code and capable of handling its ambitious design goals.

"Right now, what we're doing is design development and we're just seeing what fits the footprint," said Bill Marklein, project manager for U.P. Engineers & Architects.

Marklein noted that the project may utilize up to 26,000 square feet of space, making room for a variety of immersive exhibits. Those include a full-sized helicopter, a semi-truck cab, and part of a ship.

"A couple of those more elaborate displays, we're going to be putting in additional considerations to see how they fit, how they are going to interact, where they are going to line up with our egress routes," he explained, referencing the balance between engaging experiences and safety compliance.

In addition to interactive exhibits, the museum’s design team is factoring in critical infrastructure elements such as occupancy limits, plumbing, parking availability, and fire suppression systems.

Looking ahead, Lee hopes to see the museum open its doors by spring of 2026 — offering not just entertainment, but enrichment for local children.

"One of the things I wanted to bring to the community is a place for families to get together and have a positive impact. They can learn through play, and grow and have a social hub," Lee said.

As development continues, the M&M Children's Museum is shaping up to be more than just a destination — it’s poised to become a cornerstone for childhood learning and community engagement in the Twin Cities area.

Originally reported by Eric Peterson in Fox 11 News.