AskPippa🇨🇦The McLaughlin Planetarium is being demolished by the University of Toronto. the UofT bought it, never ran any educational space shows or programs, and let it sit vacant since 2009 until it fell apart. This was a loved and hugely popular #planetarium when it was open, with shows that regularly sold out. #Toronto is one of the few big North American cities that lacks a permanent planetarium (it seated 350 people). Word is, from people who worked there, shows were still selling out when it was closed in 1995 as the province shifted funding to elsewhere. How do we encourage a #science culture when we don't have places like this?
⠵⠻⠷⠕⠭ 🍥🍉⚪🌹@AskPippa Once helped produce a space show for kids at the Bloor Cinema with a gentleman named Phil after the Planetarium closed, he'd hand painted a(n accurately projected) glow in the dark starscape on the underside of the balcony. We used the big screen and the soundsystem too but that was all gone when Hot Docs took over. Yes we need more connection with the night sky or people won't even know what they've lost!
Jérôme
Daniel MacPhee 🔬🧬🧫🇨🇦@AskPippa I remember it well. Parents took us there several times.
Sir Osis of Liver 🇨🇦 🇲🇽Douggie only managed two months at Humber before dropping out and going into the family business.
I'm not saying people without higher education can't appreciate science, but it's not completely irrelevant either.
Siobhan Muir@AskPippa oh no.
Hamish BuchananDemolition by decay is a classic Toronto strategy. The province also let the Ontario Science Centre get run down, too, and Ford's plan to build new, diminished one at Ontario Place is pure scam. Fortunately, the old OSC building still survives and there's a chance it can be revived/repurposed.
Also fortunate is that the latest design proposal for the new building is far less hideous than the previous one — but still doomed to look gimmicky and dated by the time it's built.
This province is run by people who think their ignorant gut feelings are as good as anyone's educated analysis (but still want all the benefits of a modern, high-tech society).
@hamishb The OSC site on Don Mills is a huge property, mostly covered with parking lots. I figure there's enough space to build a new science centre, sink all the parking underground, stick up a couple of high-rises and maybe even add a small community centre or walking paths. With the right design, surely it could all be done right there! <grumble>
The existing building is fine and a treasure. But, yes, all that surface parking could be used better.
@hamishb I liked the building, but it needs updating, some modernization, and a lot of repair work.
Ontario Science Centre faces multiple infrastructure issues beyond roof: officials detail extensive repairs needed - Ontario Construction News
Ontario Construction News staff writer The condition of the roof is not the only critical problem at the Ontario Science Centre building. There are also issues with the heating, sprinkler and electrical systems, officials said Thursday, releasing a report. The 55-year-old Scarborough site was closed in June, to ensure all exhibits could be moved out […]