April 24, 2023, Toronto, ON — Last week, the Province of Ontario announced its intention to move the Ontario Science Centre to Ontario Place. The Province’s further communications noted that they will work with the City of Toronto on realizing a housing opportunity on the existing Ontario Science Centre lands and their intention to demolish the Science Centre buildings.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and the City of Toronto jointly leased the property to the Ontario Science Centre for a 99-year term, expiring on June 30, 2064, which allows for the maintenance and operation of the Science Centre.
To date, no conversations have been held between the Province, City of Toronto, and TRCA regarding the Province’s desire to move the Science Centre, build housing on the lands, and/or cancel the Science Centre lease agreement.
TRCA owns 81 acres of land at the southwest corner of Don Mills and Eglinton, which are under management agreement with the City of Toronto.
Select the image below to view the full-sized map.
These TRCA lands include portions of the Science Centre, the Don River and West Don Trail, Seton Park, and are home to ravine lands, valuable greenspace, and sensitive habitats.
Image of map courtesy of the Ontario Science Centre website.
As visible in the images above, TRCA-owned lands include:
- Portions of both the North and South parking lots, due to the proximity to the slope of the ravine;
- The back portion of the front entrance building, which overlooks the ravine below; and
- The entirety of Ontario Science Centre lands beyond the front entrance building, which includes (from left to right) the bridge, additional portions of levels 1 and 2, and all of levels 3 to 6 of the Science Centre, which are located exclusively within the ravine.
The ravine lands are considered hazardous lands due to the steep slopes and floodplain associated with the West Don River. Natural features on site include mature deciduous forests and a large marsh home to multiple bird and mammal species, turtles and amphibians. Provincial, municipal and TRCA policies require that future development be directed to areas outside of the hazardous lands.
TRCA has reached out to the Province for clarification on the matter and we look forward to learning more about the Province’s proposed plans.
About Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
Since 1957, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), as enabled through the provincial Conservation Authorities Act, has taken action to enhance our region’s natural environment and protect our land, water, and communities from the impacts of flooding and increasingly extreme weather events – Ontario’s leading cause of public emergencies.
As the region’s first line of defence against natural hazards, TRCA maintains vital infrastructure and provides programs and services that promote public health and safety, protecting people and property.
TRCA mobilizes a science-based approach to provide sound policy advice, leveraging its position as a not-for-profit operating in the broader public sector to achieve collective impacts within our communities and across all levels of government.
TRCA’s jurisdiction includes nine watersheds and their Lake Ontario shorelines, spanning six upper-tier and fifteen lower-tier municipalities and representing almost five million people, approximately 10% of Canada’s population.
To learn more about TRCA, visit trca.ca.
Media Contact
Afiya Jilani
Specialist, Communications & Media Relations
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
afiya.jilani@trca.ca