Toronto's abandoned Science Centre might not be dead just yet

A coalition of city councillors, architects, local residents, and community advocates is urging governments to preserve Toronto's former Ontario Science Centre, two years after its abrupt closure.

A report titled "Reimagining the Future of the former Ontario Science Centre" by Save Ontario's Science Centre (SAVE OSC), Moriyama Teshima Architects, Councillor Josh Matlow and Councillor Jon Burnside, is urging officials to consider potential future uses for the now-vacant science museum at 770 Don Mills Rd.

The 47-page report presents findings of a community engagement process conducted in the spring, which found strong support for keeping the site in public use, preserving its educational purpose, retaining the existing building and its ravine setting as the foundation of its future, and preventing the property from sitting vacant or falling into disrepair.

Over 98,000 people have also signed a Save OSC letter, which expresses support for the report and argues that despite sitting empty for the last two years, the building remains viable.

Sign the Letter to Toronto City Council!https://t.co/m2UBG5m0ym

Tell Toronto City Council you support the future of the former Ontario Science Centre at 770 Don Mills Road as a public place for all of us!

Sign the Letter at: https://t.co/m2UBG5m0ym pic.twitter.com/Z5DNlV9Qob

— Save OSC 🇨🇦 (@SaveOSC) July 28, 2026

Earlier this year, the provincial government unveiled the final designs for the new Ontario Science Centre at Ontario Place. The original building was abruptly closed back in June 2024, following a controversial engineering report that deemed the 1969 building was "at risk of potential roof panel failure."

Despite this, the Save OSC letter notes that the museum's roof withstood the largest single-day snowfall in Toronto's history in January 2026.

"The province's own engineering consultants recommended repairing the building rather than closing it, and offers of professional and philanthropic support to fund the work followed," the report notes.

"Despite several Council approved motions requesting provincial engagement on the site, the Province has yet to share details of its plans."

In October 2024, council approved a motion supporting the continued use of the remaining City-owned lands at 770 Don Mills Road (not covered by the proposed Housing Now site) for recreational and educational purposes only.

"The purpose of the community engagement was not to revisit the relocation decision or to evaluate specific redevelopment proposals. Rather, the process sought to identifythe public values, priorities, and principles that should guide the future of this significant public asset, and to consider how its educational, environmental, cultural, architectural, and civic contributions can continue to serve communities across Toronto and Ontario," the report continues.

A critical factor determining the future of the site's use is its 1965 lease, which stipulates that the site may only be used as a science centre and related facilities, although the province isn't obligated to operate one.

"The lease is also silent on the Province's obligations should it seek to end the agreement early, which would require a termination agreement negotiated between all three parties," the report notes.

In practice, this means that the provincial government technically can't repurpose the site without Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and the City of Toronto, which then can't repurpose it without the Province's approval.

"Resolving the site's future requires all three parties to work together, and its funding and governance should reflect that shared responsibility. To date, the Province has not shared its plans for the future of the site," the report concludes.

The new Ontario Science Centre is projected to be completed as early as 2029, and once operational, will welcome up to six million visitors per year. 

The motion, along with the report outlining a vision for the site's future, will go before City Council later this week.