Province Celebrates Opening of Ontario Science Centre at Harbourfront Centre

Press Release

June 29, 2026

Temporary home on Toronto’s waterfront will allow the Science Centre to continue programming, supporting jobs and boosting tourism

TORONTO — The Ontario government has officially opened the new temporary home of the Ontario Science Centre at Harbourfront Centre, ensuring visitors continue to have access to hands-on science and technology experiences while the new permanent facility is built at Ontario Place. The newly open Harbourfront location will bring a wave of 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, exciting 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, state-of-the-art 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.”

Ontario’s investments in the long-term economic potential of Toronto’s central waterfront are a part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by boosting local economies, supporting job creation and unleashing the tourism industry.

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.

Quick Facts

• 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.
• In December 2025, the Ontario government announced that Harbourfront Centre will serve as the interim home for the Ontario Science Centre until the new permanent facility is completed at Ontario Place.
• The design for the new Ontario Science Centre at Ontario Place was announced in February 2026, with a ceremonial groundbreaking taking place in May 2026.
• The new Ontario Science Centre is part of the government’s vision for a revitalized Ontario Place, transforming it into a vibrant, year-round waterfront destination—with more than 50 acres of free public trails, expanded green space, playgrounds, interactive fountains, new beaches, event spaces, a modernized marina and the redesigned RBC Amphitheatre, a dynamic new venue for music fans and artists.
• Ontario Place remains open to visitors and admission is free. Find out more about the fun summer activities available, including activations at Trillium Park and performances at RBC Amphitheatre.

Quotes

“As we look ahead to our future home at Ontario Place, we are excited to establish a dynamic presence on Toronto’s waterfront with this expansion at Harbourfront Centre. Curious minds of every age can discover new experiences that will inspire wonder, encourage exploration and foster meaningful connections to STEM.”
– John Carmichael
Chair of the Ontario Science Centre Board of Trustees

“At Harbourfront Centre, we believe great public spaces should spark curiosity, creativity and connection. Welcoming the Ontario Science Centre to our waterfront campus is an exciting opportunity to bring even more learning experiences to the millions of people who visit us each year. We are proud to help ensure Ontarians continue to have access to the science, innovation and discovery that have inspired generations. At the same time, we look forward to welcoming new visitors to Harbourfront Centre and introducing them to the arts, culture, learning and community experiences that make this waterfront campus so unique.”
– Tenio Evangelista
President and Chair, Board of Directors, Harbourfront Centre

“Waterfront revitalization works best when the waterfront is activated year-round. Harbourfront Centre is a beloved waterfront institution, and the partnership with the Ontario Science Centre will help create a more vibrant and active waterfront for residents, businesses and visitors.”
– George Zegarac
CEO, Waterfront Toronto

Additional Resources

• Ontario Science Centre
• Visit Harbourfront Centre
• Ontario Place redevelopment
• New Ontario Science Centre facility

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Media Contacts

Scott Clark
Minister’s Office
Scott.Clark@ontario.ca

Ashika Theyyil
Communications Branch
MTCG.media@Ontario.ca

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