Toronto city staff are looking into the legal requirements for operating the Ontario Science Centre after its sudden closure due to structural concerns by Premier Doug Ford’s government. Mayor Olivia Chow is supporting a motion to examine the city’s obligations and the feasibility of taking over operations.
The science centre has been leased to the province by the city and its conservation authority since 1969, receiving an annual grant of $19 million. Concerns over the financial implications of operating the facility have been expressed, given the need for extensive repairs.
Prior to the closure, plans were underway to relocate the science centre to Ontario Place. A deal between the city and province last year included discussions of maintaining science programming at the original site, which Mayor Chow aims to initiate.
