The Ford government has announced that the Ontario Science Centre will be closed to the public “immediately” and permanently after a recent engineering report found “serious structural issues” with the building.
Torontonians will no longer be able to visit the museum after today following the North York tourist attraction’s sudden closure, but private events planned for the weekend will be allowed to go ahead.
“The measures taken today will help protect the health and safety of Ontario Science Centre visitors and staff while supporting the centre’s eventual reopening in its state-of-the-art facility,” the province’s Infrastructure Minister, Kinga Surma, said in a news release.
“In the meantime, we remain committed to avoiding disruption to the public and enabling the Ontario Science Centre to continue fulfilling its mission through interim facilities and alternative program options.”
The state said a new report from engineering firm Rimkus Consulting Group found that the center, which opened in 1969, was “at risk of roof panel failure” as early as this winter due to “the weight of snow accumulation.”
“A recent engineering assessment determined that some roof structures at the facility were constructed using construction materials and systems that are now outdated and that certain roof panels are deteriorating,” the news release said.
“Enhanced processes for stormwater monitoring and rooftop facility management will keep the building safe through the summer months, but staff will need to be able to safely evacuate the building during these months.”
Damage to the roof of the Ontario Science Centre is shown in an image taken from an engineering report. (Government of Ontario)
“Risk to public safety”
In its report, the engineering firm assessed the condition of the panels, which were constructed with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), a lightweight concrete product that was a “popular choice” as a structural material for educational, public and industrial buildings across the state from the mid-1950s through the mid-1970s.
The report noted that RAAC “has been shown in other countries to be susceptible to deterioration due to water ingress.”
“RAAC as a building material is overall less robust than steel decking and conventional concrete, making it more susceptible to impact damage and increasing the risk of sudden failure. In general, the lifespan of RAAC panels will be shorter than other common roof decking types, such as steel decking and conventional precast concrete panels,” the report states.
“Defects that develop over time in RAAC products installed in existing buildings increase the risk of future failure when exposed to continued moisture intrusion. Continued deterioration of the panels increases the likelihood of RAAC failure. RAAC failure can cause damage to buildings and pose a risk to public safety.”
Of the panels the company was able to evaluate, one fell into the “significant risk” category, about 6% were identified as “high risk,” a further 9% were deemed “medium risk,” and the remaining 84% of panels were deemed “low risk,” according to the report.
“Both the flooding and the unreinforced in-situ retrofitting have permanently reduced the load-bearing capacity of the RAAC panels. As a result, the damaged panels are functioning with a reduced factor of safety compared to the original design intent,” the report said.
“When heavy loads from snow or rain occur, the load-bearing capacity of deteriorated panels decreases, increasing the risk of sudden collapse.”
Damage to the roof of the Ontario Science Centre is shown in an image taken from an engineering report. (Government of Ontario)
Repairs postponed for years
It was previously determined that many of the needed repairs were due to maintenance that had been deferred for years by the current and previous state governments.
According to a business plan released last year, the roof is just one of many things in disrepair at the facility, including mechanical, electrical and elevator systems, all of which are in need of significant investment.
The state says a minimum capital investment of $478 million is needed to address the museum’s “outdated and dysfunctional infrastructure” and “program requirements.”
In response to the new reports, the state announced all employees must vacate the building by October 31st.
Officials said Friday that there will be “no immediate job losses” as a result of the facility’s sudden closure, but did not say what will happen to Ontario Science Centre employees once the building is fully vacated.
The facility, at 770 Don Mills Road in Toronto’s Flemingdon Park neighbourhood, plans to host several summer camps over the next few months, and the Ontario government says it plans to refund all participants within 30 days.
“The state has also selected nearby schools with similar programs as alternative sites to host summer camp at no cost to previously registered campers,” the news release stated.
A request for proposals will be issued Monday by Infrastructure Ontario to find a “suitable temporary location” for the programming until construction of a new permanent facility at Ontario Place is completed.
The premier previously announced that construction on a new building at the Ontario Science Centre, which is being built as part of the Ford government’s Ontario Place redevelopment plan, would begin in 2025. The centre could open to visitors as early as 2028, the premier said.
‘A painful loss for the city’
The decision to move the facility to Ontario Place has come under criticism from advocates and local politicians who say the Ford government did not adequately consult with the community about relocating the tourist attraction to a smaller location downtown.
Additionally, the land on which the science center sits is owned by the city, and the current lease, negotiated as a 99-year agreement in 1965, only allows for the construction of a building there “for the purpose of operating as a science center.”
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has previously expressed a desire to continue science-related programming in the area.
Ontario Science Centre CEO Paul Kortener said in a statement that the memories made at the site are “truly special” and “are the foundation on which we build our future.”
“For more than 50 years, the Ontario Science Centre has been a beloved landmark and integral part of our community and province,” the statement read. “Our building is part of the experience itself, a cherished space for generations of visitors, inspiring wonder and curiosity about science and the world around us every day.”
In a statement Friday, Mayor Chow called the closure “a painful loss for the city.”
“I have taken my grandchildren to the exhibits at the Ontario Science Centre and seen the looks of amazement and delight on their faces. This is a special place that sparks imagination and curiosity and fosters a lifelong love of science and learning,” she said.
“I am deeply disappointed that successive state governments have allowed this building to fall into disrepair over the years.”
She said the news is especially hard for residents in the local community, where more space for young people and families is needed.
Chow indicated a motion will be introduced in the legislature next week to investigate the province’s responsibility regarding the Ontario Science Centre.
“I support this motion and look forward to discussion at council meeting,” the statement concluded.
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles called the closure “heartbreaking” and said it was especially hard for residents of Flemingham Park and Thorncliffe Park to see “a vital facility ripped away from their community.”
“Communities outside the downtown core deserve the good…Families across Toronto will likely lose out on public science education for their children for many years to come,” she wrote.
“The government could have invested in revitalizing the Ontario Science Centre, but instead used public funds to concoct a false business plan for this important community hub.”
