Whew. We’ve had quite an eventful few days here at the Discovery Centre. On Thursday afternoon the Star of Fortune, the casino boat which has been sitting right outside our building, pulled away from her moorings and sailed away into the sunset.

The Discovery Centre and the Star of Fortune have a long history together. The building we now operate in was originally built for the casino boat. In fact, had it not been for the arrival of the Star of Fortune, we would not be in such an amazing space today. However, since the casino moved to Queensborough, I’ve seen the Star of Fortune docked at the Quay, gradually getting more and more run down. Almost since the day it ceased operating, there had been much speculation about what was to become of the boat. Some loved her and saw untapped potential; others hated her and couldn’t wait for it to go. Many of these feelings and accompanied questions were directed to our front desk staff. We constantly had visitors inquiring about the boat and many did not know that the casino had closed.

So, I admit it. I was excited as I watched the preparations for departure being made on Thursday. For most of the day, our staff were hanging around by the windows, trying to get some work down all the while keeping a sharp eye on the progress of the boat launch. Then, around 3:20, the last of the ropes were cast off, the Ken Mackenzie tug was hitched up and the Star of Fortune started to move! She was soon turned around and heading down-river to her new home. After following her down the boardwalk for a while and taking dozens of photos, we slowly made our way back to our desks, all a-chatter with exclamations of the improved view and appreciation for the new-found brightness in the galleries.

It’s now been five days since she left. I’m amazed how quickly the river adapts. Setting up a tent on a patch of grass for a few nights leaves a mark. But sitting here at my desk, watching the river go by and looking down at the space where the Star of Fortune sat, it is almost as if she was never here.