Shore Leave Acquires Battlestar Galactica

Towson, MD, April 1, 2006 - In a first for Science Fiction conventions, the Shore Leave Science Fiction convention has acquired the Battlestar Galactica. Plans for the vessel include programming space for the upcoming Shore Leave 28 convention as well as possible rental to other conventions.

First constructed for the Sci-Fi Channel's television series of the same name, the Battlestar Galactica has long been a fixture on the studio lot. Explains Sci-Fi Channel spokesman Joseph Kerr, "Everyone assumes the Galactica is a collection of sound stages and computer generated imagery. The problem is that CGI (computer generated imagery) is a lot more expensive than most people think. Combine that with the number and size of the sets needed for the show and we realized early on that we were better off building an actual Battlestar."

With the series' final episode scheduled scheduled for filming in late May or early June, the show's producers began looking for new owners. Shore Leave convention co-chair Kett Kettering thought this would be a unique addition to the convention. "[Sci-Fi Channel] said that fan interest in the show was a major reason they'd created the new series, so they thought it would be great to give the ship to a group of fans."

What will the convention use the ship for? Convention co-chair Marilyn Mann explains, "What we're talking about here is several city blocks worth of usable space. A few thoughts we've already discussed are using the main assembly hall for our guests' presentations and maybe using the launch bay where the museum used to be as our dealers room. It's a given that this color scheme will be a lot easier on the eyes."

Plans call for this summer's Shore Leave 28 (July 7-9) to be the first to take place aboard the ship.