A few Toronto-area philanthropists are offering to invest more than $1 million to keep the Ontario Science Centre open for the summer after its sudden closure last week.
The Science Centre, which was built in 1969, was closed June 21 after government officials announced engineers had discovered structural issues with the building’s roof.
But if a small group of wealthy area residents have their way, the Science Centre will remain open and in its current location.
Oakville-based tech entrepreneur and philanthropist Adam McNamara was one of the first to pledge money to the project, saying he would “personally pay” the $522,500 cost cited in the Ministry of Infrastructure engineering report to replace faulty roof panels.
“If lack of money for repairs is truly the only thing keeping OSC closed this summer, my friends and I are happy to help,” he said in subsequent posts. “Giving tens of thousands of children and their families the opportunity to fall in love with science seems like a great way to be helpful.”
Philanthropist Sabina Vohra-Miller has also promised to kick in up to $1 million “if it means the science centre remains where it is permanently.”
Roof Replacement
The report from engineering firm Rinkus Consulting Group identified a number of roof panels at risk of collapse under the weight of snow this winter. The firm’s report recommended the entire roof be replaced—a two- to five-year project that would cost between $22 million and $40 million.Although the engineers said the building was safe until Oct. 31, the province opted to shut the facility down June 21.
While she described the closure as a “difficult decision” that has “saddened” her, Ms. Surma said it was necessary.
“One must remember that this was a warning, a health and safety warning, and as a representative of government, I have to take that seriously,” she said. “There is nothing more important than the health and safety of people, of workers, and of children.”
Infrastructure Ontario has said it will look for a temporary science centre location until the new one opens at Ontario Place.
Centre Relocation
Relocating the Ontario Science Centre to Ontario Place would save taxpayers more than $250 million over 50 years compared to repairing and updating the facility at its current North York location, according to a report released last year.The cost to restore the current structure and update exhibits would be $1.3 billion over 50 years, a business case released Nov. 29 by Infrastructure Ontario found.
The report advocated for moving the attraction to a revamped Ontario Place on Toronto’s waterfront. The change, which would cost $1.05 billion over 50 years, would allow the government to “simultaneously revitalize two provincial assets through one capital investment,” the report said.
While the premier and his government are on board with relocating the Science Centre, there has been pushback from the community as well as from some politicians about the relocation, but also about the abrupt closure of the facility last week.
