Construction begins on new Science Centre at Ontario Place

The Ford government announced on Monday that it has officially broken ground on the new Science Centre at Ontario Place, which is currently on track to open in 2029. 

According to the province, the new 400,000-square-foot facility is set to feature a mainland building, an upgraded Cinesphere, new interactive exhibits, an integrated pod complex, and more programming space. 

News of the facility's construction comes just shy of two years after the original Science Centre's controversial closure in June 2024, following an engineering report that deemed the 1969 building was "at risk of potential roof panel failure." 

Earlier this year, the province announced that the $1.04 billion contract to design, finance, maintain, and build the new Science Centre facility had been awarded to the Ontario Science Partners, a collaboration that includes the design firm Hariri Pontarini Architects. 

Over 1,000 construction and tourism jobs are expected to be supported throughout the duration of the project. 

"Our government is proud to get shovels in the ground on the new Science Centre, as part of the revitalized Ontario Place, as we build a historic landmark on Toronto's skyline that will attract millions of visitors a year," Premier Doug Ford said. 

The facility's mainland building is designed for immersive visitor experiences, such as educational workshops and learning exhibits, along with dynamic programming and exhibitions. 

Harbourfront Centre will continue to serve as the interim location for the Science Centre until its permanent home at Ontario Place is complete. 

The iconic Cinesphere will also receive acoustic enhancements to its IMAX theatre, along with complete interior and exterior revitalization. Once complete, it will offer roughly double the seating of the former OMNIMAX Theatre. 

Along with the new Science Centre, Ontario Place will feature over 50 acres of free public trails, interactive fountains, playgrounds, new beaches, a modernized marina, a highly-criticized luxury spa, expanded green space, and the redesigned RBC Amphitheatre, which opened for the season this month. 

Once complete, Ontario Place is expected to welcome up to six million visitors every year.