The Banner Creek Observatory & Science Center was founded in 2000 as the Elk Creek Observatory and it was the only school-owned observatory in the world. The current facility is Phase One of the planned development at this location. Phase Two includes plans for a 17,000 sqare foot building which will house the observatory equipment, labs, and classrooms.
The observatory currently houses a 20 inch telescope and thanks to the "Dark Sky" views available at this location away from city lights, it provides views of the Milky Way that many urban observatories cannot.
The current facility is also home to a 1,200 square foot classroom that provides hands-on scientific education.