Ontario Science Centre Breaks Ground at Ontario Place

The Ontario government has officially broken ground on the new Ontario Science Centre at Ontario Place, launching one of the province’s most high-profile tourism and infrastructure redevelopment projects.

The new 400,000-square-foot facility will anchor the larger revitalization of Ontario Place, transforming the waterfront property into a year-round destination focused on science, entertainment, recreation, and tourism.

Ontario News reports that construction is expected to continue through 2029, when the new facility is scheduled to officially open to the public.

A Major Waterfront Redevelopment Project

The new Science Centre forms a central component of Ontario’s broader vision for Ontario Place, which includes significant upgrades across the waterfront destination.

Plans for the revitalized site include:

• More than 50 acres of public trails and green space
• New beaches and boardwalks
• Interactive fountains and playgrounds
• Event and festival spaces
• Expanded marina facilities
• The redesigned RBC Amphitheatre
• Improved transit and pedestrian connectivity

The project is expected to create more than 5,700 jobs during construction while contributing approximately $420 million to Ontario’s GDP.

Modern Science Facility Designed for Future Generations

The new Ontario Science Centre will feature a modern mainland building paired with renovated pod structures integrated into the existing Ontario Place landscape.

According to provincial officials, the facility is being designed to support immersive learning, interactive science programming, and expanded educational opportunities for students and families.

The project will include:

• Hands-on science exhibits
• Educational workshops and programming spaces
• Dynamic exhibition halls
• Interactive learning environments
• Flexible event and gathering areas

Officials say the expanded facility will provide more programming space than the former Science Centre location.

Upgraded Cinesphere Included in Redevelopment

One of the most recognizable elements of Ontario Place, the Cinesphere, will also undergo a major modernization as part of the redevelopment.

The upgrades will include:

• Interior and exterior revitalization
• Acoustic enhancements
• Expanded accessibility improvements
• Modernized IMAX theatre systems

The renovated venue will reportedly provide approximately double the seating capacity of the former OMNIMAX Theatre.

The province also plans for the Cinesphere to continue operating as a standalone entertainment destination supporting festivals, film programming, and major events.

Construction and Infrastructure Scope Continues Expanding

The scale of the Ontario Place redevelopment creates substantial opportunities across multiple construction sectors.

Key areas of work include:

• Heavy civil construction
• Structural steel and concrete work
• Building envelope systems
• Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations
• Waterfront infrastructure
• Landscape architecture
• Transit integration
• Entertainment venue construction
• Public realm improvements

The redevelopment also emphasizes the use of Ontario-based businesses and suppliers under the province’s Buy Ontario procurement initiative.

Transit Connectivity Plays Major Role

Transportation integration remains a major component of the Ontario Place redevelopment strategy.

The new Ontario Science Centre will connect directly to the future Ontario Line through Exhibition Station, improving access from across Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

Additional transportation connectivity will include:

• GO Transit access
• Connections to Billy Bishop Airport
• Expanded pedestrian pathways
• On-site parking improvements

Officials believe these transit investments will help support visitor volumes projected to reach as many as six million annually once Ontario Place is fully completed.

Significant Long-Term Economic Impact Expected

Provincial officials say the redevelopment will generate substantial long-term economic benefits through tourism, hospitality, entertainment, and ongoing operations.

The construction phase alone is expected to support:

• More than 1,000 direct construction and tourism jobs at the Science Centre
• Thousands of additional regional jobs tied to Ontario Place redevelopment
• Expanded demand for local contractors, consultants, and suppliers

Once complete, the revitalized site is expected to become one of the province’s highest-profile public destinations.

Construction Industry Opportunities Continue Growing

For contractors, consultants, suppliers, and trades, the Ontario Science Centre redevelopment represents another major public infrastructure investment contributing to Toronto’s active construction pipeline.

The project’s combination of:

• Complex institutional construction
• Waterfront redevelopment
• Adaptive reuse components
• Entertainment venue modernization
• Public realm infrastructure

creates opportunities across a wide range of specialized construction disciplines.

A New Era for Ontario Place

The groundbreaking marks a major turning point in the long-running transformation of Ontario Place.

With construction now officially underway, the redevelopment is moving from planning into full-scale implementation, positioning the waterfront destination for a new era centered on science, tourism, entertainment, and public space revitalization.

As work progresses toward the planned 2029 opening, the project is expected to remain one of Ontario’s most closely watched large-scale construction developments.