The Ontario Science Centre will be relocated to Ontario Place as one part of the Ford Government’s redevelopment of the site.
Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Neil Lumsden confirmed the move at a press conference at Ontario Place on Tuesday.
Lumsden called the move a “major step forward,” adding that it is a “fantastic opportunity.”
He said the new science centre will “complement” other attractions set to be built at Ontario Place.
According to Lumsden, the government anticipates the new Ontario Science Centre will attract 1 million visitors a year.
Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma told reporters the new site will be a “Science Centre for the next generation.”
Surma said the current Ontario Place site is in “disrepair.”
She said the government ran a business case analysis which determined it would be less expensive to bring the Science Centre to Ontario Place, than to repair the existing building.
Surma said moving the site also creates opportunities to build “brand new, modern exhibits.”
Surma said the costs to move the site will be made available to the public when available.
Lumsden said construction of the new Science Centre is set to begin in 2025, adding that the new facility will be “state of the art.”
In the meantime, Lumsden said the facility in North York will remain open to welcome guests.
“We are looking forward to working with our staff, visitors and communities over the coming years to imagine what the new Ontario Science Centre will become,” the science centre said in a statement.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to set us on an exciting path where we will continue to inspire curiosity, innovation and discovery for generations to come.”
Many of the exhibits at the existing site will be moved to Ontario Place, Lumsden said, but that there will be new attractions with “greater efficiencies.”
Lumsden said the square footage won’t be as large but said that “doesn’t mean impact won’t be as large.”
Surma too said the new site will likely be smaller, but said the total square footage isn’t immediately available as design work still needs to be done.
Lumsden told reporters that moving the Science Centre provides housing opportunities in the Don Mills neighbourhood.
Ford said his government will work with the conservation authority and the city of Toronto to “build density” on the available, buildable lands at the old site.
Ford said his government is expecting “thousands” of new housing options, including Non-profit, attainable, affordable units will be built at Don Mills.
Relocating the Ontario Science Centre is just one aspect of a very large plan overhaul Ontario Place.
The venue, which opened in 1971, was closed to the public in 2012 after years of financial losses.
European company Therme Group is set to build a massive spa and waterpark and Live Nation is set to build an outdoor concert venue at the site.
The plans have prompted criticism from the opposition and advocates who do not want to see a private spa at a public park.
However, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his government is building a “world class, year round destination” at Ontario Place.
Ford said his government expects the revitalized Ontario Place to attract between four and six million visitors a year, and create 5,000 jobs.
In a statement emailed to Global News on Tuesday, NDP MPP Chris Glover and NDP MPP and GTA issues critic Bhutila Karpoche said decisions like moving the science centre “cannot be made without transparency, accountability, and most importantly, an opportunity for local communities to weigh in.”
Karpoche and Glover said the communities around the Science Centre are “densely populated” and have been “traditionally underserved.”
“It is not just a tourist attraction or a building that is falling apart, as Ford described,” the statement said. “It provides good local unionized jobs. It’s a community hub that helps newcomers feel more at home. Taking this away without even talking to the people who will be impacted is simply disrespectful.”
-with files from The Canadian Press
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