What to know
- The Ontario Science Centre closed abruptly in June 2024 after engineers identified serious structural risks at its Don Mills building.
- A larger interim location at Harbourfront Centre is expected to open in summer 2026, replacing the Sherway Gardens pop-up.
- KidSpark programming will continue and expand at the waterfront site until the new permanent facility opens at Ontario Place.
- The permanent Science Centre is now slated for 2029 following delays and higher projected construction costs.
The Ontario Science Centre is preparing to reopen in a new temporary home at Harbourfront Centre by next summer, after its abrupt closure in June 2024 due to severe structural concerns.
While the permanent, expanded facility at Ontario Place isn’t expected until 2029, the government says the interim waterfront location will restore family access to key programming, protect Science Centre jobs and offer a larger replacement for its smaller Sherway Gardens pop-up, which is set to close in early 2026.
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Ahead of the temporary location opening next summer, Now Toronto created a timeline of the Ontario Science Centre’s closure and its path toward reopening.
A TIMELINE OF THE ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE’S CLOSURE AND FUTURE REOPENING
June 21, 2024: Sudden closure of the Don Mills building
The Ontario Science Centre’s longtime home at Don Mills and Eglinton closed when the province released an engineering assessment warning of “immediate” structural risks. The report identified failing roof panels as a significant safety hazard, prompting the Ford government to shut down the building without prior notice to staff or visitors.
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Late 2024: Pop-up exhibits launch
To maintain limited programming, the province opened two temporary sites: a small pop-up exhibit at CF Sherway Gardens and a waterfront KidSpark space at Harbourfront Centre. The Harbourfront location marked an early attempt to keep educational programming accessible following the centre’s closure.
December 10, 2025: Expanded Harbourfront Centre site announced
The province announced a larger, interim Science Centre location at Harbourfront Centre, set to open by summer 2026. Officials say the expanded site will include a customized exhibit hall, workshops, community spaces and an enlarged KidSpark area.
Tourism, Culture and Gaming Minister Stan Cho said the move allows families to continue accessing “world-class science programming,” while construction on the new permanent centre continues at Ontario Place.
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Jan. 4, 2026: Sherway Gardens location to close
The Science Centre’s Sherway Gardens pop-up will close in early 2026. Staff and resources will be shifted to support the Harbourfront Centre site ahead of its opening.
Summer 2026: Interim Harbourfront Centre facility targeted to open
A specific date has not been announced, but the province says the interim facility will open next summer. Once operational, it will house exhibitions, hands-on workshops and shared spaces for community programming. Officials say the location will act as the institution’s main home until its permanent building is completed.
2029: Permanent facility expected to open at Ontario Place
Initially estimated for 2028, the opening of the new Ontario Science Centre at Ontario Place is now expected in 2029. A 2024 auditor general report found construction costs have risen by nearly $400 million since the province’s original business case, putting the project’s new estimate around $1.4 billion.
WHY THE SCIENCE CENTRE CLOSED
The June 2024 engineering report concluded the Don Mills building had reached the end of its design life, citing serious roof deterioration and aging infrastructure. Provincial officials said the safety risks were too significant to keep the site open.
Until the Ontario Place facility opens, the Science Centre will continue operating through its interim Harbourfront Centre location. KidSpark programming will remain active, with exhibits expanding once the temporary site opens. The province says the waterfront location will help sustain tourism and stabilize staffing after disruptions caused by the 2024 closure.
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