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Province Awards Contract to Build New Ontario Science Centre at Ontario Place

February 26, 2026
A detailed aerial-style site map illustration of the future Ontario Place redevelopment. Key locations are labeled, including the Ontario Science Centre, Therme, Marina, Live Nation, Brigantine Cove, Forum, Water’s Edge, and the Mainland. Pathways, green spaces, water features, and connected structures are shown across the waterfront site. The Protect Ontario logo appears in the bottom right corner along with bilingual text reading “Ontario Science Centre at Ontario Place / Centre des sciences de l’Ontario à la Place de l’Ontario.”

New facility will offer more programming space than ever before, incorporating iconic Ontario Place pods and Cinesphere

Office of the Premier

Table of Contents

  1. Content
  2. Quick Facts
  3. Quotes
  4. Additional Resources

Content

TORONTO — The Ontario government has unveiled the final design and awarded the contract to build and maintain the new Ontario Science Centre, a major milestone in the province’s plan to transform Ontario Place into a year-round, world-class, family-friendly destination. The new 400,000-square-foot facility will include a state-of-the-art building, integrated pod complex, new interactive exhibits and an improved and upgraded Cinesphere, with more space dedicated to programming than at the previous site. Once completed, as early as 2029, the Science Centre will be a cornerstone of the revitalized Ontario Place, providing new experiences for families, creating more than 1,000 jobs in the construction and tourism sectors, and boosting economic growth across Toronto and the region.

“With state-of-the-art facilities that offer more space for visitors, interactive exhibits and programming, the new Ontario Science Centre will continue five decades of tradition, inspiring the next generation of young people,” said Premier Doug Ford. “As part of the revitalized Ontario Place, the Science Centre will be a historic landmark on Toronto’s waterfront and skyline, attracting millions of visitors a year.”

Designed to inspire the next generation of innovators, the new Science Centre will also elevate Ontario Place as a premier destination for science, education and entertainment and include:

“We are proud to present the future home of the Ontario Science Centre, a new facility for a new generation that will explore innovative new approaches and give Ontario families access to world-class science programming,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “By focusing on thoughtful planning and strong design, our government is protecting Ontario’s long-term economic interests and ensuring public infrastructure delivers real benefits for Ontarians.”

As part of the broader revitalization of Ontario Place, the new Cinesphere will help strengthen Ontario’s film and television industry, with technical upgrades, accessibility improvements to the interior and exterior and enhancements to the acoustic performance. These improvements will ensure the Cinesphere remains a modern, accessible standalone venue within Ontario Place, coordinating with the Ontario Science Centre on programming and supporting festivals, events and film-related programming for decades to come.

“The Ontario Science Centre’s future is so exciting with limitless potential for unforgettable programming,” said Paul Kortenaar, CEO of the Ontario Science Centre. “Our future home will bring science to life in an inclusive and playful way, where visitors, including teachers and students, can experience the wonder of science.”

The new Ontario Science Centre is part of the government’s vision for a revitalized Ontario Place, transforming it into a vibrant, year-round waterfront destination. The site will feature more than 50 acres of free public trails, expanded green space, playgrounds, interactive fountains, new beaches, event spaces, a modernized marina and the redesigned RBC Amphitheatre, a dynamic new venue for music fans and artists.

Families will also have easy access to the Science Centre through the new Ontario Line at Exhibition Station, which will also connect to fast, convenient GO service across the Greater Golden Horseshoe, steps away from Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport. These transportation links will support an accessible, world-class waterfront destination at Ontario Place that will create more than 5,700 jobs and add $420 million to Ontario’s GDP during construction. Once complete, Ontario Place will welcome up to six million visitors per year.

Quick Facts

  • The contract to design, build, finance and maintain the new Ontario Science Centre facility has been awarded to the Ontario Science Partners, a collaboration that includes Hariri Pontarini Architects, the design firm leading the redevelopment of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and OpenROM. Other notable projects led by the firm include the Tom Patterson Theatre in Stratford, Ontario.
  • Following extensive evaluations through a competitive procurement process, Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming have awarded a fixed price contract of $1.04 billion to Ontario Science Partners to design, build, finance and maintain a new state-of-the-art Ontario Science Centre facility.
  • In December 2025, the Ontario government announced that Harbourfront Centre will serve as the interim home for the Ontario Science Centre until the new permanent facility is completed at Ontario Place.
  • The Ontario government announced the final designs for the new Ontario Place public spaces in June 2025.
  • The new Ontario Science Centre facility will meet all accessibility requirements and seek Rick Hansen Foundation accessibility certification, which measures the level of meaningful access of buildings and sites.
  • Once complete, the reimagined Ontario Place will include exciting new features, such as lakeside walking and cycle paths, urban beaches with boardwalks, play areas, a revitalized marina, multiple transit options, onsite parking and a forum at the park’s centre.
  • The government is working on a Destination Waterfront Strategy — a plan that will shape a vibrant, connected waterfront for generations to come that brings more tourists to Toronto.
  • Construction for the 400,000 square foot facility will create long-term jobs and use Ontario businesses and services first, consistent with the Buy Ontario Act (Public Sector Procurement), 2025, part of the province’s plan to use public sector buying power to support business within the province and across Canada.

Quotes

Our government is ready to deliver a modern, world class Ontario Science Centre that will continue to both educate and inspire inquisitive minds for generations. As part of our historic $223 billion capital plan to protect Ontario, we are investing in renewed spaces for learning, innovation and community, while supporting well-paying jobs and building the vibrant, future focused province Ontarians deserve.

– Todd McCarthy

Acting Minister of Infrastructure

Once complete, the new Ontario Science Centre will support student achievement by giving students hands-on opportunities to learn, explore and build real-world skills. It will provide teachers with the tools they need to bring learning to life and give families a space to engage with science together, helping students explore new ideas and prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.

– Paul Calandra

Minister of Education

Today’s milestone reflects a shared commitment to build a dynamic, state-of-the-art Science Centre that will inspire discovery for generations to come. Through innovative exhibits and dynamic programming, this remarkable new home at Ontario Place will provide meaningful learning experiences to visitors of all ages.

– John Carmichael

Chair, Board of Trustees, Ontario Science Centre

We are taking an important step towards a new, modern and vibrant Ontario Science Centre with this successful procurement. Working closely with our partners, we’re excited to deliver a new centre that will inspire future science education, while celebrating the site’s legacy by preserving the historic Cinesphere and pod complex.

– Angela Clayton

President and CEO, Infrastructure Ontario

We’re thrilled and honoured that the Ontario Science Centre will continue to call Harbourfront Centre home. There are strong synergies with our two organizations and this iconic institution — and the curiosity, creativity and discovery it inspires — is a privilege to have on campus for our entire organization. We look forward to continuing this partnership and welcoming visitors to both the Ontario Science Centre and Harbourfront Centre.

– Tenio Evangelista

Chair, Board of Directors, Harbourfront Centre

As the waterfront continues to grow as a destination — from Ontario Place and Exhibition Place and heading east through the central waterfront and the new Port Lands — a sign of success will be an increase in attractions drawing visitors in all four seasons. The success of the temporary Ontario Science Centre presence at Harbourfront Centre, now being extended and expanded, has been a wonderful addition already. Once permanent facilities are added at Ontario Place, they will be part of a growing network of inter-connected attractions and experiences that will help Toronto become known as a premier waterfront city around the world.

– Tim Kocur

Executive Director, Waterfront BIA

Ontario built the world’s first IMAX theatre in 1971, and the Cinesphere has been iconic ever since. We’ve been proud to share many events with TIFF audiences there, including Christopher Nolan presenting Dunkirk, Denis Villeneuve presenting Dune and a historic screening of the Ontario-made IMAX classic, North of Superior. We can’t wait to see audiences flocking back to this unique cultural treasure.

– Cameron Bailey

CEO, Toronto International Film Festival

Set between our shimmering waterfront and our major metropolitan centre, Ontario Place is a premier destination that brings together a world class tourism attraction and state of the art cinema — creating a cinematic backdrop worthy of the world’s most iconic film production companies and the locations they bring to life. By integrating the Cinesphere into this next phase of development, the province strengthens an established cultural asset and supports new opportunities for attracting both domestic and international production partners, showcasing Ontario talent and contributing to the province’s creative economy.

– Karen Thorne-Stone

President and CEO, Ontario Creates

Ontario Science Partners would like to express our sincere gratitude to the province of Ontario for the confidence it has placed in our partnership; our consortium brings together industry-leading expertise that is informed by extensive global and local experience. The new landmark will inspire generations of bright minds — from schools and families across Ontario — and ignite their curiosity for decades to come. By making science more accessible to the public, we hope to support Ontario’s long history of scientific research, backed by leading institutions and universities. All of us at Ontario Science Partners are delighted to have been entrusted with the building of this public legacy.

– Ignacio García

Representative, Ontario Science Partners

Additional Resources