The opening of the new permanent facility at the Ontario Science Centre has been delayed until 2029, according to a report by Ontario Auditor-General Shelly Spence. The report found that information submitted by Infrastructure Ontario pushed the original 2028 opening date back by a year.
Last year, Premier Doug Ford announced that the science centre would be relocated from its current location in East Toronto to Ontario Place. However, the abrupt closure of the centre on October 31, coupled with an audit revealing that the relocation plan would cost $1.4 billion, has drawn significant criticism.
Jason Ash, co-chair of the Save Ontario Science Centre advocacy group, expressed disappointment over the delay, stating that it would “leave a gap in science education for Ontarians’ children.” He also suggested that renovating the existing centre would have been a more cost-effective solution.
NDP Leader Marit Stiles strongly criticized the government’s decision, calling the relocation an “expensive and unnecessary project” that is “out of touch with the needs of the public.” She has called for a further investigation by the Inspector General, citing irregularities in the negotiation process.
In the meantime, the government plans to open a temporary science centre by 2026, although there have been no further updates. Currently, the Ontario Science Centre continues to operate through two pop-up exhibitions.