Ford Hints That Science Centre May Move to Ontario Place

Ontario Premier Doug Ford hinted Thursday that the province may soon announce plans to move the Ontario Science Centre to Ontario Place.

Ontario Place’s redevelopment has been the subject of much debate, particularly among Toronto’s mayoral candidates. Some have criticized plans to build a spa there. Other plans for the space include a waterpark and outdoor concert venue.

“When it comes to the Science Centre [moving to Ontario Place], that came on the table probably a year ago and I personally think it’s a great idea,” he told reporters in Waterloo on Thursday.

He suggested Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma might announce such a plan next week. “If I told you now, my minister of infrastructure would shoot me on the spot. So can you stay tuned till next week, but I think it’s a fabulous idea and there’s a tremendous opportunity,” Ford said. “So I just—I think you know where we’re going on that,” he said.

The Science Centre “really needs to be revamped,” he said.

If the Science Centre does move, Ford said, housing might be a good option for repurposing the land at the centre’s current site, at Don Mills and Eglinton.

“There’s a lot of high-rises, density around that whole area,” he said. “I think there’s a tremendous opportunity to create some attainable homes and affordable, non-profit homes in that region if we decide to go down that route.”

European company Therme Group is set to build the spa and waterpark, and Live Nation is set to build the outdoor concert venue. Ontario Place first opened in 1971, but was closed to the public in 2012 after years of financial losses.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.