ONTARIO-The Ontario government has officially opened the new temporary home of the Ontario Science Centre at Harbourfront Centre.
The newly open Harbourfront location will bring new events, attractions and performances to the Toronto waterfront for families and visitors of all ages to enjoy.
“By establishing the Ontario Science Centre’s temporary home at Harbourfront Centre, our government is ensuring families, students and visitors can continue to access world-class science programming as we build a new, expanded and state-of-the-art Ontario Science Centre steps away at Ontario Place,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “The new Harbourfront Centre location will bring science to life for families and students, attract more visitors to Toronto’s waterfront and support local jobs and businesses.”
Building on the success of the Ontario Science Centre’s popular KidSpark exhibit hall, the new interim home at Harbourfront Centre will offer an expanded science experience in the heart of Toronto’s waterfront. Once fully operational, the site will cover approximately 86,000 square feet, with dedicated indoor and outdoor areas for exhibitions and workshops, as well as shared spaces for programs and community events.
New, hands-on learning activities include:
- Space Deck: An immersive planetarium experience and interactive space-themed exhibits
- Innovation Station: Interactive station that allows visitors to experiment, build, create and solve problems using real tools and a wide range of materials
- Curiosity Commons: Outdoor learning space that features free programming where visitors can test their skills and discover the science behind motion, athletic performance and sport.
These new experiences mark the first phase of the temporary Ontario Science Centre at Harbourfront Centre, with more exhibits, programs and spaces launching later this year. The interim location will operate until 2029, when the Science Centre will move to its new, permanent home at Ontario Place.
“We are thrilled to welcome visitors to the first phase of our exciting expansion at Harbourfront Centre,” said Paul Kortenaar, CEO of the Ontario Science Centre. “Whether it’s exploring the wonders of space, inventing something new, or testing the science behind sports, everyone is invited to discover our new experiences that will inspire curiosity and big ideas.”
“For generations, the Ontario Science Centre has brought families, schools and visitors together through the power of learning and discovery,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “Spaces like this support students at every stage of their educational journey, while sparking curiosity and connecting communities through shared hands-on experiences. This new temporary space will ensure that tradition continues, inspiring the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers and leaders.”
Harbourfront Centre is located along Queens Quay between Union Station and Ontario Place, serving as a primary access point to the waterfront for pedestrians, transit users and tourists.
For more details about programming, hours, upcoming events, and to book your visit to the Ontario Science Centre at Harbourfront Centre, please visit OntarioScienceCentre.ca.
