Two years ago, the Ford government abruptly shuttered the Ontario Science Centre, claiming the roof was at risk of imminently collapsing. This past winter, it withstood the biggest single-day snowfall in Toronto's history.
The Province is now moving forward with a plan to build a smaller $1.4 billion Science Centre at Ontario Place. Nothing about that plan requires the former OSC site at 770 Don Mills Road to sit empty. The building should be reopened and reimagined to serve a growing community in Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park, along with our entire city and region.
That's why I, working with Save Ontario's Science Centre, Moriyama Teshima Architects, and local Councillor Jon Burnside, held consultations directly in Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park, and with people across Toronto, to hear their vision for the future of the site. Participants identified clear priorities: continued public use, learning and discovery, access to the ravine and green space, the architectural significance of the building, and community and cultural programming.
I am happy to share that this week, Council received our report presenting that community vision and recommended next steps toward reopening. Council also adopted my motion requesting the City Manager to convene a meeting with representatives of the Province, Infrastructure Ontario, the Government of Canada, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, CreateTO, and community stakeholders to collaboratively determine a sustainable future use for the site that ensures public benefit and access.
The message from residents is clear. The use of the site may change, but its public purpose should endure.
Please read our report here.