Loved that studio!
Natika33 said:
Waaay off topic, but there was a museum/photo studio of neon lights that closed a few years back that I think could be expanded & brought back for reals in the old Ontario Science Centre building or part of it (with the Honest Ed sign there too as narduch suggested). Could be fun & a wee bit unique. See blogTO article on the old one here:
https://share.google/G1AmC49kOtsx9hMPt
Click to expand...
 
Natika33 said:
Waaay off topic, but there was a museum/photo studio of neon lights that closed a few years back that I think could be expanded & brought back for reals in the old Ontario Science Centre building or part of it (with the Honest Ed sign there too as narduch suggested). Could be fun & a wee bit unique. See blogTO article on the old one here:
https://share.google/G1AmC49kOtsx9hMPt
Click to expand...
That would be such an excellent use for the former Ontario Science Centre indeed!
 
My column on this (gift link):

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/gif...38c666cff8f6a94599/VEAXEBZFCRBMVGHJQLLOCDZGFI

Key points about the size, which I and my colleague Jeff Gray have already shared on social media. It’s smaller:

Second image is from the premier’s PR.

IMG_3297.jpeg




IMG_3298.jpeg
 
JasonParis said:
If Toronto didn’t already have a science museum, Ontario Place would be a compelling place to start. But the city does have one on an a spectacular Don Valley site — that will soon be served by two subway lines. Which makes this new proposal a good place to stop.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bill Davis. ;)
 
Northern Light said:
@AlexBozikovic asked about the facility size calculation over on Bsky.....

They got that number by adding the 40,000ft2 in the Pods, and the Cinesphere to the new building.

Frankly, I can't make that math work in my head, but I also don't have the exact ft2 for Cinesphere.

I'll wager they're including all that wasted space in the bridge structures too.
Click to expand...
Are the Cinesphere and pods supposed to be come part of the new Science Centre?
 
That quote from the article seems pretty misleading (likely intentionally so ...) the 568K from the science center includes exhibition space as well - yet it is compared it to 280K square feet for the "new" science center. Later it goes into the necessarily details to fully understand it but ...

At least that's what I was able to discern from looking up the stats on the existing building size - I apologize if I am incorrect.
 

Ontario Breaks Ground on New Science Centre at Ontario Place​

State-of-the-art facility on track to open in 2029, creating more than 1,000 new jobs and attracting millions of visitors every year
May 25, 2026
Office of the Premier
Tourism, Culture and Gaming

Table of Contents​

  1. Content
  2. Quick Facts
  3. Quotes
  4. Additional Resources
TORONTO — The Ontario government has officially broken ground on the new Ontario Science Centre, a major milestone in the province’s plan to transform the revitalized Ontario Place into a vibrant, year-round destination for science, entertainment and tourism. The new 400,000-square foot facility is on track to open in 2029 and will feature a state-of-the-art mainland building, an integrated pod complex, new interactive exhibits, an upgraded Cinesphere and more programming space than at the previous site.
“With new and exciting programs, more space and incredible views of Toronto’s waterfront, the new Ontario Science Centre will inspire the next generation of children and families as visitors make memories that will last a lifetime,” said Premier Doug Ford. “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.”
The new Science Centre will serve as a cornerstone of the revitalized Ontario Place, creating exciting new experiences for families with convenient access in the heart of Toronto. The project will support more than 1,000 construction and tourism jobs, while driving economic growth across the region. As the nation’s premier destination for science, education and entertainment, the new facility will include:
  • A state-of-the-art mainland building designed for dynamic programming, exhibitions and immersive visitor experiences, including hands-on exhibits, learning activities and educational workshops
  • Renovated and enhanced pods, fully modernized to create new science-themed experiences
  • The iconic Cinesphere, upgraded with acoustic enhancements to its world-class IMAX theatre and complete interior and exterior revitalization. It will offer approximately double the seating of the former OMNIMAX Theatre.
“The Ontario Science Centre will be a world-class facility designed for a new generation, a place where families, students and visitors can explore, learn and be inspired through immersive science and innovation,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “Today’s groundbreaking marks a major milestone in the revitalization of Ontario Place and our government’s plan to build a vibrant, year-round destination that will drive tourism, create jobs and inspire future generations.”
The new Ontario Science Centre is part of the government’s vision for a revitalized Ontario Place, transforming it into a vibrant, year-round waterfront destination. The site will feature more than 50 acres of free public trails, expanded green space, playgrounds, interactive fountains, new beaches, event spaces, a modernized marina and the redesigned RBC Amphitheatre, a dynamic new venue for music fans and artists.
“Today represents an exciting step forward for the new Ontario Science Centre, where we will continue to inspire a sense of wonder and discovery for generations to come,” said Paul Kortenaar, CEO of the Ontario Science Centre. “We can’t wait to welcome families, teachers and students, and visitors from around the world for incredible science learning experiences.”
Families will have easy access to the Science Centre through the new Ontario Line at Exhibition Station, which will also connect to fast, convenient GO service across the Greater Golden Horseshoe, steps away from Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport. These transportation links will support an accessible, world-class waterfront destination at Ontario Place that will create more than 5,700 jobs and add $420 million to Ontario’s GDP during construction. Once complete, Ontario Place will welcome up to six million visitors per year.

Quick Facts​

  • Construction for the 400,000-square-foot facility will create long-term jobs and use Ontario businesses and services first, consistent with the Buy Ontario Act (Public Sector Procurement), 2025, part of the province’s plan to use public sector buying power to support business within the province and across Canada.
  • The upgraded Cinesphere will ensure the iconic venue remains a modern, accessible standalone destination within Ontario Place, while coordinating with the Ontario Science Centre on programming and supporting festivals, events and film programming for decades to come.
  • The Ontario Science Centre is expanding its presence at Harbourfront Centre with more space and new interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. Harbourfront Centre will serve as the interim location for the Science Centre until its permanent home at Ontario Place is ready, as early as 2029.
  • The contract to design, build, finance and maintain the new Ontario Science Centre facility has been awarded to the Ontario Science Partners, a collaboration that includes Hariri Pontarini Architects, the design firm leading the redevelopment of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and OpenROM.
  • Once complete, the reimagined Ontario Place will include exciting new features, such as free trails, new beaches, an interactive fountain, boardwalks, playgrounds, an updated marina, multiple transit options, onsite parking and spaces for festivals and markets, all with improved access to the waterfront.
  • Families will have easy access to the Science Centre through the new Ontario Line at Exhibition Station, which will also connect to fast, convenient GO service across the Greater Golden Horseshoe, steps away from Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport.
  • Ontario Place remains open to visitors and admission is free. Find out more about the fun summer activities available, including activations at Trillium Park and performances at RBC Amphitheatre.
  • Building on the success of KidSpark at Harbourfront Centre, the Science Centre will expand its footprint with the exciting addition of more exhibits and programming, with more to come later this year. The Science Centre’s interim location at Harbourfront Centre will offer a vibrant destination filled with hands-on science fun for curious minds of all ages until its new, permanent home is completed at Ontario Place.
 
I think this will be an amazing new science centre at an unbeatable location. Ontario Place has sat languishing for years, but now with the new science centre, revamped amphitheater, Therme (hopefully if they don't go bust first), and public park space, we will have something everyone can enjoy and be proud of.
 
Civdis said:
I think this will be an amazing new science centre at an unbeatable location. Ontario Place has sat languishing for years, but now with the new science centre, revamped amphitheater, Therme (hopefully if they don't go bust first), and public park space, we will have something everyone can enjoy and be proud of.
Click to expand...
The gridlock getting here by car will be outstanding. I do hope I'm wrong, but this is not, in my opinion, a win.
 
Civdis said:
It will be far more accessible by transit than the previous site
Click to expand...
Actually, the original OSC site would've been more accessible by transit in a sense. One will have to do a 500m walk from Exhibition to get to the new OSC site.

By contract, it would be a less than 100m walk from Flemingdon Park station via the Ontario Line.

Overall it would be "easier" in sense to get to the new OSC by transit due to it's proximity to Union Station and the multiple connections available there, but the proximity factor to Exhibition is a problem. So in essence the last mile problem is an issue at Exhibition compared to Flemingdon, however there are increased connections available closer at Exhibition vs Flemingdon.
 
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