Group rallies to save Ontario Science Centre

Politicians, advocates and community members are trying to save the Ontario Science Centre from permanently closing.

Politicians, advocates and community members are trying to save the Ontario Science Centre from permanently closing. 

The group met in Toronto Sunday afternoon, two days after the Ford government announced the permanent closure of the site due to structural issues. The effort is being led by the grassroots organization Save Ontario’s Science Centre, or Save OSC, which hopes the government will rectify its decision and make the repairs needed to re-open the space.

“This is an institution that has been neglected,” Opposition Leader Marit Stiles said to demonstrators at the rally. “This could have been prevented, and this can be prevented.”

The government’s decision to close the site, which was based on a report by engineering firm Rimkus Consulting Group, found that the building was at risk of potential roof failure, as early as this winter.

The centre was built in 1969 and has, over the years, seen structural damage. Last year, a business case found that the facility was additionally in need of major mechanical, electrical and elevator system repairs.

Instead of investing in repairs, the government has decided to close the space and commit to its plan of relocating the centre inside of Ontario Place, which is set to begin construction next year.

The relocation will see the loss of over half of the size of the current facility and cost taxpayers millions of dollars. However, according to a business case, relocating the science centre from its current location to Ontario Place would also save about $250 million over 50 years.