Ontario still hasn’t decided where the Science Centre will operate while its new building is constructed at Ontario Place.
Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma said Tuesday that the province hasn’t chosen a location, despite earlier promises to launch a temporary site by January 1, 2026.
She explained that the Science Centre continues exploring temporary locations and possible pop-up exhibits across the province.
“There are many municipalities and organizations that have put up their hand and reached out to government,” Surma said. “We have an opportunity to bring exhibits across Ontario.”
Current exhibits remain in storage after the government closed the Science Centre last year, citing urgent roof repairs.
That closure triggered backlash from staff and critics. Many questioned the urgency and necessity of the shutdown.
Since then, the province issued a request for proposals to find a temporary site and promised to move quickly. However, that process appears to have stalled.
Surma said officials are now reevaluating short-term programming. The government hasn’t finalized plans for pop-up exhibits or a temporary location.
The union representing Science Centre workers said management recently informed staff that temporary location plans were suspended. Employees have also raised concerns about pest issues and delays in maintaining the stored exhibits.
Surma spoke during a press conference where Premier Doug Ford revealed the final designs for the Ontario Place redevelopment.
The site will include a five-storey, above-ground parking garage costing $400 million. Ford said the structure will generate at least $60 million in revenue from parking fees.
The garage will hold 3,500 spaces, including 1,600 reserved for the Therme spa and waterpark being built by an Austrian company.
Previously, the government considered building the garage underneath the Science Centre or at Exhibition Place. It later chose a larger standalone structure.
NDP MPP Chris Glover criticized the plan, citing high fees and reduced public access to waterfront views.
“They shouldn’t be trying to generate money from it,” Glover said. “They should be making this as accessible as possible to the people of Ontario.”
The Therme project and related parking costs have continued to draw opposition. A recent auditor general report revealed that parking requirements may have influenced the decision to relocate the Science Centre.
The report also said the move would now cost $1.4 billion—more than the $1.3 billion it would take to repair the existing east Toronto site.
As of early 2024, the full redevelopment cost of Ontario Place has reached $2.2 billion.
The new Science Centre’s opening is delayed to 2029. Ford didn’t confirm that date.
“Hopefully 2029,” he said. “I’m just going to push it like crazy, make sure we move faster, quicker, immediate.”
