Advocates, politicians and members of the community are trying to save the Ontario Science Centre from shutting down permanently.
The group met in Toronto two days after the government of Doug Ford announced the permanent closure of the site over structural issues. The effort is championed by the grassroots organization, Save Ontario’s Science Centre, or Save OSC, which hopes the government will correct its decision and make the repairs needed for the space to be re-opened.
While talking to demonstrators at the rally, opposition Leader Marit Stiles said: “This is an institution that has been neglected. This could have been prevented, and this can be prevented.”
The decision of the government to close the site was based on a report by engineering firm Rimkus Consulting Group which discovered that the building was at risk of potential roof failure, as early as this winter.
The centre was constructed in 1969 and has, over the years, witnessed structural damage. In 2023, a business case detected that the facility also needed major mechanical, electrical and elevator system repairs.
Instead of repairing what needed repairs, the government decided to close the space and commit to its plan of moving the centre inside of Ontario Place, which is set to start construction next year.
The relocation will bring about the loss of over half of the size of the current facility and cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
Meanwhile, a business case has revealed that relocating the science centre from its current location to Ontario Place would save around $250 million over 50 years.