Construction to start soon on new Ontario Science Centre; to open ‘as early as’ 2029
Written by The Canadian Press on February 26, 2026
TORONTO — Construction is set to begin this spring on a new Ontario Science Centre on Toronto’s waterfront, at an estimated cost of just over $1 billion.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced today that the contract has been awarded to build the new science centre at Ontario Place, which the government says will be completed “as early as” 2029.
The province abruptly closed the science centre at its old location in east Toronto in the summer of 2024, citing an engineering report that found deficiencies with the roof.
Critics have questioned that reasoning, given that the roof has survived record amounts of snowfall this winter, and an auditor general report has suggested parking obligations for a waterpark and spa at Ontario Place factored into the decision to move the science centre.
Tourism, Culture and Gaming Minister Stan Cho says the new science centre facilities will be 400,000 square feet, with the new building standing at 220,000 square feet, of which 120,000 square feet will be direct exhibit space.
Ford says there will be science programming in the Ontario Place pods, as well as new IMAX experiences in the Cinesphere.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2026.
Allison Jones and Liam Casey, The Canadian Press