Ontario Government Breaks Ground on New $1.04 Billion Science Centre at Ontario Place

📅 6 days ago

The new Ontario Science Centre, part of the Ontario Place redevelopment, is set to open in 2029 with a budget of $1.04 billion, despite controversies surrounding the closure of the old facility.

TORONTO — The provincial government has officially commenced construction on the new Ontario Science Centre, a significant element of the revitalization of the Ontario Place development. This initiative has generated considerable discussion since the closure of the previous facility in 2024. The new center will encompass 400,000 square feet and is slated for completion in 2029. A recent release outlines that the facility will include a mainland building, an integrated pod complex, interactive exhibits, an upgraded Cinesphere, and expanded programming space compared to its predecessor.
In February, a contract worth $1.04 billion was awarded by Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming to Ontario Science Partners. This contract covers the design, construction, financing, and ongoing maintenance of the new Ontario Science Centre facility. Notably, the project team comprises several key players: John Laing Limited, Sacyr Infrastructure Canada Inc., and Amico Major Projects Inc. lead the application, while Hariri Pontarini Architects and Snøhetta form the design team. The construction efforts will be carried out by Sacyr Canada Inc. and Amico Design Build Inc., with facilities management handled by Johnson Controls Canada L.P. Additionally, Agentis Capital Advisors serves as the financial adviser.
While the groundbreaking is a cause for celebration among the province and various stakeholders, the decision to close the previous facility has sparked considerable debate. Critics argue that the funds allocated for the new construction should have been invested in repairing the old site located at 770 Don Mills Road. An assessment conducted by Pinchin Ltd. engineers in April 2022 identified serious structural deficiencies in the former building, estimating that at least $478 million would be needed for capital repairs and to upgrade outdated infrastructure.
Despite the controversy, the provincial government opted to pursue a different course of action, designating the Harbourfront Centre as the interim location for the science center until the permanent establishment at Ontario Place is completed. The ongoing construction is expected to support over 1,000 jobs in both the construction and tourism sectors, as highlighted in the release.
The broader Ontario Place redevelopment will encompass more than 50 acres of public space, featuring free trails, expanded green areas, playgrounds, interactive fountains, new beaches, event venues, a modernized marina, and a redesigned RBC Amphitheatre. The final designs for this extensive project were revealed in June 2025. In addition to the public amenities, Therme Canada is also developing a new waterpark and wellness facility on the West Island, with design plans unveiled in July of the previous year.

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