The Ontario Science Centre in Toronto, one of the world’s first interactive museums, is undergoing a major redevelopment as part of a public-private partnership (PPP) led by Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.
This marks the first major redevelopment of the Ontario Science Centre since its opening in 1969, relocating and expanding the facility at Ontario Place while preserving iconic heritage elements such as the Cinesphere and Pods. The project will enable a new generation of interactive, hands-on science experiences for visitors across Ontario.
The C$1.04bn ($770m) redevelopment forms part of the provincial plan to transform Toronto’s iconic lakefront cultural and entertainment complex, Ontario Place, into a modern cultural and scientific hub. It is being delivered under a Design Build Finance Maintain (DBFM) model by the Ontario Science Partners (OSP) Consortium.
Construction started in May 2026, with completion expected in 2029. The project is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs in construction and tourism during its development, while the broader Ontario Place revitalisation is projected to generate 5,700 jobs, contribute C$420m to Ontario’s GDP, and welcome up to six million visitors a year once complete.
Project Overview
| Project Type | Science museum |
| Location | Toronto, Ontario |
| Estimated Cost | C$1.04bn ($770m) |
| Project Team | Ontario Science Partners: John Laing Group (64%), Sacyr Infrastructure Canada (26%), Amico Major Projects (10%) |
| Design Team | Hariri Pontarini Architects and Snøhetta |
| Design-Build Contractor | Joint venture of Sacyr and Amico (50% each) |
| Construction Started | May 2026 |
| Expected Completion | 2029 |
| Facilities Management | Johnson Controls Canada |
Ontario Science Centre features
The redevelopment will deliver a 400,000ft² state-of-the-art facility, including a new 220,000ft² mainland building. The Ontario Science Centre will preserve and integrate Ontario Place’s Pods and the geodesic Cinesphere, which will continue to function as an active projection venue.
The upgraded Cinesphere will feature double the seating of the former OMNIMAX Theatre, acoustic improvements, and full interior and exterior revitalisation. The pods will be fully modernised to create new science-themed experiences, and the mainland building will provide more programming space than the previous site, including hands-on exhibits, educational workshops, and immersive visitor experiences.
The facility will provide STEM-focused educational programming aimed at inspiring curiosity and innovation across all ages.
A new pedestrian bridge will connect different elements of the Centre, and the existing infrastructure will be renovated and enhanced to improve access and functionality. Landscaped public spaces will feature urban beaches, play areas, interactive fountains, a revitalised marina, and the RBC Amphitheatre to complement the waterfront environment.
Ontario Science Centre design
The design concept draws from the site’s waterfront location, linking the city to Lake Ontario. It adopts a modular “molecule” layout that connects interior and exterior spaces, with scalloped and arced facades inspired by constellations. The historic Pods and iconic IMAX Cinesphere are thoughtfully integrated into the new building, preserving heritage while enabling modern programming.
Landscaped plazas, pathways, and ecological features will extend the visitor experience into Ontario Place’s public realm, supporting both daily use and large-scale cultural programming. The facility will also meet all current accessibility standards and seek Rick Hansen Foundation accessibility certification.
Sustainability and green design
The new Science Centre is planned as a sustainable, state-of-the-art facility. It will pursue LEED Silver certification, optimise energy performance, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The building will integrate seamlessly into its environment while preserving heritage elements such as the Cinesphere and Pods.
Contractors involved
Canadian firm Hariri Pontarini Architects, in partnership with international studio Snøhetta, has been selected to design the new Ontario Science Centre.
The OSP Consortium, comprising John Laing Group (64%), Sacyr Infrastructure Canada (26%), and Amico Major Projects (10%), is delivering the project. Sacyr and Amico, through a 50:50 joint venture, will act as the design-build contractor.
Project delivery and financing
The consortium has secured financing through local and international banks using a non-recourse senior revolving credit facility, which will finance initial construction and be repaid at the end of the construction phase. Long-term financing will come solely from equity contributions by the consortium shareholders.
The DBFM model used to deliver the project combines design, construction, financing, and long-term maintenance under a single agreement. This approach shifts certain risks to the private sector, encourages high-quality operations through performance-based incentives, and can reduce overall costs by up to 22% compared with traditional project delivery.
Construction timeline and milestones
The request for qualifications (RFQ) was issued in May 2024, followed by the request for proposal (RFP) in January 2025. The DBFM contract award and financial close occurred in February 2026. Construction started in May 2026, with completion aimed for 2029.
