Ontario Announces Interim Science Centre Opening at Harbourfront

Ontario will open an interim science centre next summer at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. This decision follows the abrupt closure of the previous science centre in the city’s east end, which took place in June 2024. The announcement was made by Stan Cho, the Minister of Tourism, in a press release.

The new facility will encompass approximately 86,000 square feet, making it larger than the current pop-up exhibit but significantly smaller than the former site, which spanned 568,000 square feet. The existing pop-up location at Sherway Gardens mall will close on January 4, 2025, to facilitate this transition.

The previous science centre’s closure was sudden, with the government citing urgent roof repairs as the reason. This claim has faced skepticism from workers and critics who question the necessity and timing of the closure.

Future Plans for a Permanent Science Centre

The Ontario government, led by Premier Doug Ford, is in the process of planning a new, permanent science centre at Ontario Place. Critics argue that this initiative serves as a cover for a controversial spa and waterpark project proposed by the Europe-based company Therme.

The latest update regarding the opening timeline for the permanent science centre came from Ford in June, indicating that the expected completion date might be in 2029. This long wait has led to frustration among those who advocate for science education and public engagement.

As the interim centre prepares to welcome visitors next summer, there are hopes that it will offer a much-needed resource for scientific learning and community engagement in Toronto. The decision to establish a temporary site reflects the province’s commitment to continue science programming despite the challenges posed by the previous closure.

This report reflects information from the Canadian Press published on December 10, 2025.