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GREENSBORO — The last time around, it took the Natural Science Center more than six years to open its newest exhibit after voters approved the project.

Don’t expect such a long wait this time. Work will begin almost immediately on several parts with the $20 million bond that voters approved Tuesday, said Glenn Dobrogosz, executive director of the center.

“Now, let’s have some fun,” Dobrogosz said to supporters as it became clear the bond would pass. “Let’s build something amazing.”

Voters approved the bond 61 percent to 39 percent, according to complete but unofficial results. Nearly 33,500 voters cast ballots.

“I think it really reflects the community’s desire to see this kind of a gem really developed,” said Gary Brown, chairman of the science center’s board.

City Council members have indicated a willingness to quickly approve the first round of bonds for the $10 million Phase I, Dobrogosz said. The three-phase improvement plan will take seven to 10 years and increase admission by $2.

Even without bond money, work can begin on several areas, Dobrogosz said.

In a few months, the OmniSphere projection system could be in place, he said. The high-definition system will be one of only three in the world.

Thanks to fundraising, the center has half the money for HealthQuest and has already begun making pieces for that exhibit, Dobrogosz said. Once bond money is released, HealthQuest would be ready in about six months, he said.

Plans for the 26,000-square-foot SciQuarium would be put together in mid-January, and the project could be bid four to six months later, he said. Construction would take about a year and a half. Installing 200 new parking spaces likely could be finished in the first year, he said.

The $5 million Phase II will expand Animal Discovery. The final $5 million will renovate the museum, create the new Sci-Tech Jungle and update Kids Alley.

“I don’t want to give that one away yet,” Dobrogosz said. “It will be very kids-focused, very hands-on focused.”

The Natural Science Center brings in about 278,000 visitors annually, according to the center’s Web site It has a $10 million impact on the local economy, according to a report by UNCG’s Center for Business and Economic Research.

The expansion is expected to increase visitation to about 500,000 people a year and the economic impact to $20 million. The city will pay about $800,000 a year in bond-debt payments.

Contact Jennifer Fernandez at 373-7064 or jennifer.fernandez@news-record.com