Ford Government Awards $1.04B Contract for New Ontario Science Centre at Ontario Place, Eyes 2029 Opening

The Ontario government has officially awarded a $1.04-billion contract to design, build, finance and maintain a relocated Ontario Science Centre at Ontario Place, with the new facility projected to open as early as 2029.

Premier Doug Ford announced the deal Thursday morning, describing the project as a transformative moment for Toronto’s waterfront and a cornerstone of the province’s broader redevelopment plans for Ontario Place.

“I am just so excited about this,” Ford said during the announcement. “This is going to be incredible. We’re changing the face of not just Ontario, but Toronto specifically.”

The new science centre is central to the government’s plan to overhaul Ontario Place, a redevelopment initiative that includes a privately operated spa and waterpark, a new music and entertainment venue, and expanded public parkland. The premier has repeatedly framed the project as a long-overdue revitalization of a waterfront destination he argues has deteriorated over time.

The contract, signed between the province and Ontario Science Partners, covers the full lifecycle of the project, including construction and long-term maintenance. Ford said he believes the $1.04-billion figure represents the total cost.

“I believe it’s a billion dollars,” he confirmed.

The relocation follows the abrupt closure of the original Ontario Science Centre building at Don Mills and Eglinton in June 2024. The government cited urgent safety concerns at the time, stating the structure had deteriorated to the point where it could no longer safely accommodate visitors.

Although the closure was announced publicly just hours before the building was permanently shuttered, internal planning documents later revealed that the decision had been in the works for more than a week. The sudden move drew criticism from community members and opposition politicians, many of whom questioned the timing and necessity of the shutdown.

In the months since, portions of the science centre’s programming have operated as temporary pop-ups in other parts of Toronto, including a west-end shopping mall and Harbourfront Centre, while preparations for a permanent relocation continued.

Critics have accused the government of allowing the original building to decline rather than investing in repairs, arguing that the closure was part of a broader strategy to bolster the appeal of Ontario Place. Some have suggested that moving the science centre is intended to complement the new spa and other planned attractions, rather than preserve scientific and educational access in its former neighbourhood.

Premier Ford defended the decision again on Thursday, describing the old building as unsafe and unsuitable.

“The old one terrible location, first of all,” he said. “And secondly, it’s decrepit. The stories I heard from mould; it was just unsafe.”

Those comments drew sharp responses from some community leaders and opposition figures, who said the characterization of the Don Mills and Eglinton area was dismissive of local residents.

Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner criticized the project, questioning who stands to benefit from the relocation and broader redevelopment.

“Ontarians deserve to know: who’s benefitting from this?” Schreiner said in a statement. He argued that residents of nearby communities did not welcome the closure and that the government is pursuing a controversial plan without broad public support.

Despite ongoing opposition, the province is pressing ahead. Newly released renderings show a reimagined Ontario Science Centre integrated into Ontario Place’s existing landscape. The design includes upgraded and repurposed pods that will host science-themed programming, blending indoor exhibits with outdoor experiences along the waterfront.

Paul Kortenaar, CEO of the Ontario Science Centre, expressed optimism about the project’s potential.

“Our future home will bring science to life in an inclusive and playful way,” he said in a statement. “Visitors, including teachers and students, will be able to experience the wonder of science in new and exciting ways.”

The government maintains that the move will create a modern facility better suited to contemporary educational programming while anchoring Ontario Place as a major tourism destination.

If completed on schedule, the new science centre will open roughly five years after the closure of its original home a transition that has reshaped not only the institution itself but also the ongoing debate over the future of Toronto’s waterfront.