Challenges Faced by Ontario Museums

Ontario Museums Facing Challenges

Recent times have brought turbulent waters for some of Ontario’s museums. The Ontario Science Centre faced an abrupt and permanent closure by the provincial government due to concerns about the stability of the concrete used in its roof panels.

The fate of the Science Centre’s building, nestled in a ravine in an inner suburb of the city, remains uncertain. The government, spearheaded by Premier Doug Ford, initially announced the museum’s relocation to a smaller venue as part of the Ontario Place redevelopment project along the shores of Lake Ontario. This decision followed controversy over the government’s plan to hand over part of Ontario Place to an Austrian company for a spa development.

The closure of the Science Centre sparked protests calling for its reopening and renovation, questioning the government’s risk assessment of the roof structure. Intriguingly, offers of assistance emerged to breathe new life into the neglected building. The original architectural firm from the 1960s offered to restore the structure pro bono. Furthermore, Geoffrey Hinton, a prominent figure in artificial intelligence and a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, pledged 1 million Canadian dollars towards the repair efforts.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, Ontario, faced its own challenges four years ago when its plans for a new building hit a roadblock. The museum aimed to replace its former home, housed in a former outboard motor factory and offices since 1998.