Is the Science Centre roof going to collapse?
Premier Ford thinks so. He is one in a long line of premiers who struggled with funding the Science Centre so it could update its exhibits. His solution has been unique: He is moving it to Ontario Place to make his redevelopment of Ontario Place much stronger. The move was further supported by the idea that the existing building roof is in danger of collapse, and so the centre needed to be closed immediately. The new science centre design has now been unveiled, and construction started with a ground-breaking ceremony. The new centre is proposed to cost just over 1 billion dollars. To be fair, that includes 30 years of maintenance costs. The province will also pay for new exhibits.
It is clear that the science centre is a key element of Premier Ford's vision and it is not coming back to our community. This is a blow to our community, but it's also an opportunity. Because I have read the engineering report, and the roof merely needs repair: the building is sound.
Councillors Matlow and Burnside have already held community consultations. The next step is to issue a request for expressions of interest from community groups. For example, it would be a great place for a music centre, with venues, a museum, music classes, instrument making and a restaurant. We need not just ideas, but people who know how to turn ideas into reality.
Let’s find them.