Ever wondered what happens when science meets childlike wonder? That’s the Ontario Science Centre. It was founded in 1964 and officially opened in 1969. The Ontario Science Centre quickly became a Toronto landmark.
Its story began as a Canadian Centennial project. The Ontario government commissioned Raymond Moriyama to design it. The aim was to create one of the first interactive science museums. The Ontario Science Centre opened its doors on September 26 1969. A radio signal from over 1.5 billion light-years away triggered the opening. The Ontario Science Centre’s slogan was catchy. It said: Come see what would happen if Albert Einstein and Walt Disney had gotten together.
Raymond Moriyama broke the building into three parts. He made sure it connected with nature. He built it on a challenging green space. The first part sits on the public road. A bridge leads to the second part. An escalator descends to the third part.
The architecture isn’t brutalist. It focuses on textures and spaces. The bridge offers treetop views. The escalator showcases the forest understory. The Ontario Science Centre was unlike anything before. It was Canada’s first interactive science museum. Generations of schoolchildren visited its cantilevered canopy. A renovation in 1996 added a domed IMAX theatre.
Inside, anticipation filled the air. Visitors enjoyed touchy-feely activities. The Van de Graaff generator created static electricity. The jagged concrete bands contrasted with fossilized wood. The board-form pattern looked natural and rough-hewn. It was like a rough-hewn Mayan temple and sleek architecture pavilion.
The Ontario Science Centre hosted many exhibits. In 1982, China: 7000 Years of Discovery broke attendance records. Over 1.5 million people visited. Body Worlds 2 attracted almost half a million visitors in 2005. Harry Potter: The Exhibition displayed props from the film series in 2010.
Permanent exhibits included the AstraZeneca Human Edge. It explored human anatomy. It also featured experiences of adventure-seekers and athletes. The Cohon Family Nature Escape was an outdoor exhibit. It featured a giant Baltimore oriole nest. Forest Lane displayed trees and trunks from across Canada. A 464-year-old Douglas fir showed world events on its growth rings. KidSpark offered a space for children to learn through play. Living Earth hosted simulated environments with live animals. The Science Arcade housed arcade-styled games. The Space Hall featured meteorites and Moon rocks. The Weston Family Innovation Centre encouraged experimentation.
The Ontario Science Centre also ran a Science School. It offered grade 12 STEM courses. Students earned practicum hours by volunteering.
Sadly, the Ontario Science Centre faced challenges. Structural decay led to the closure of the pedestrian bridge. In 2023, a shuttle bus transported visitors. In April 2023, the government announced plans to relocate it. The new location would be at Ontario Place. This plan faced public backlash. Concerns arose about downsizing and exhibit losses.
In June 2024, the Don Mills location closed. An engineering report revealed roof damage. The estimated repair cost was at least $22 million. The government opted to relocate the Ontario Science Centre. A temporary site is planned to open in 2026. The relocation is targeted for 2028.
Today, most exhibits are in storage. Some are on display at pop-up locations. The original building is undergoing repairs. Its future remains uncertain. The Ontario Science Centre temporarily closed on June 21 2024. But its legacy lives on. It inspired countless visitors and ignited a love for science. The Ontario Science Centre will continue to inspire.