Finding a New Home for Ontario Science Centre: Officials Seek Temporary Location Amidst Structural Concerns and Smaller New Space

Officials from the Ontario Science Centre have been searching for a temporary location after abruptly closing their previous building due to structural concerns. The government announced on Friday that the science centre would permanently close at its east Toronto location following an engineering report on the state of the roof.

The original building was 568,000 square feet, but officials are now looking for a smaller space to accommodate programming and exhibits until the new location at Ontario Place opens in 2028. Infrastructure Ontario has released a request for proposals for retail or commercial space that is between 50,000 and 100,000 square feet in size.

While critics of the relocation to Ontario Place were already expressing concerns about the new building being only half the size of the original, officials have claimed that the new space will have more exhibit space. However, a report from the auditor general has pointed out that there will actually be 18% less exhibit space than in the original building.

Overall, officials are working hard to find a suitable temporary home for the Ontario Science Centre while waiting for the new location at Ontario Place to open in 2028.