Observatory Slated to Open Next Month

Ocean City has some of the best views around — whether it’s sunrise on the beach or the sunset on the bay.

Now, with the addition of a soon-to-be unveiled observatory, those views will include stars and constellations.

Due to the efforts of the Ocean City Education Association and the Ocean City Free Public Library, this privately funded project will be available to the public for stargazing sometime in the summer. The observatory is under construction to between Ocean City High School and Carey Stadium near Fifth Street.

“We are targeting to have the observatory completed by mid-June,” said Dave Allegretto, president of the Education Association.

Allegretto has high praise for the city officials.

“We’ve received all of our approvals," he said. "The city has been very supportive of this project, and it has been great to work with them."

Matt Oster, high school science teacher and brainchild behind this project, couldn’t agree more.

“The observatory is progressing wonderfully. After six years in the making, we can actually see the light at the end of the telescope,” Oster said.

He also praises the City of Ocean City for its support.

“This is the perfect example of how wonderfully education and businesses can work together to create a positive academic monolith for everyone,” Oster said.

The observatory dome, which will be able to rotate 360 degrees and hold a half-dozen people at a time, has been delivered.

“We have received the dome and are storing it off location until it is time to install. The dome was shipped in pieces and will need to be put together on location,” Allegretto said.

The observatory will have many uses.  Allegretto says that it can potentially host First Night activities, Astronomy Clubs, lectures, and lunar and solar events.        

“This will be another badge for our declaration of being a STEM school (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)," Oster said. "The usage both communally and academically for this observatory is endless.”

Ocean City Free Public Library donated $25,000 toward the cost of the $50,000 project. Oster recognizes everyone who helped get this project to fruition.

“Without the City of Ocean City’s support, the Ocean Educational Foundation with Dave Allegretto, Ocean City Home Bank, Russell Snow, Danny Canova, Garret Architects and my project partner Joe Burns, this project would not have been possible.”

Allegretto added his thanks.

“We would not have been able to do this without the support of the city, the library and Russell Snow Builders who is building the observatory.  We have had other contractors and businesses donate their time and materials to make this possible.  We will formally recognize them at our unveiling (date to be announced).”