Adam McNamara Takes Aim at Ontario Science Centre Relocation Strategy: “It’s Not About The Building”
In a series of pointed posts on X, entrepreneur Adam McNamara has emerged as a vocal critic of the Ontario government’s plan to relocate the Ontario Science Centre (OSC) to Ontario Place. McNamara’s commentary has brought to light several contentious aspects of the proposal, emphasizing concerns about transparency, financial assumptions, and the future of public assets.
“Hundreds of pages (and cups of coffee later), I finally understand the government’s push to move Science Centre,” McNamara wrote. “Hint: it’s not about the building.”
McNamara argues that the government’s plan is less about the state of the OSC building and more about broader strategic goals: enhancing the appeal of Ontario Place, filling its vacant structures, and opening up the Don Mills site for private development. He highlights this with a post, stating, “Moving Science Centre to Ontario Place seems to be about: 1. Making Ontario Place look less bad, 2. Filling buildings no one wants, and 3. Making Science Centre’s Don Mills site available for private development.”
This commentary comes after McNamara has pledged the $522,500 required for remediation to maintain operations through 2024. Additionally, the Vohra Miller Foundation has proposed a fundraising effort to contribute up to $1 million for the Centre’s permanent operation.
The Ontario Science Centre announced its immediate closure on June 21 due to structural concerns identified in an engineer’s report, which cited the risk of potential roof failure from snow load. Critics, including architecture critic Alex Bozikovic and former Shopify executive Brandon Chu, have accused the government of mismanagement, arguing the closure is unnecessary.
Criticisms
One of McNamara’s primary concerns is the lack of viable commercial tenants for the Ontario Place Pods and Cinesphere, which the government is obligated to maintain as Provincial Heritage Properties. He underscores this point by referencing a report indicating that no commercial tenants have been identified for these structures despite extensive efforts.
McNamara also scrutinizes the financial justification provided by the government, particularly the projected savings of $256.9 million. He questions the validity of these savings, suggesting they rest on dubious assumptions.
“The government claims the move is good business and will save taxpayers $256.9M over its lifetime. However, this claim rests on some sketchy assumptions,” he noted.
He also challenges the government’s projection of 885,000 annual visitors to the relocated OSC, which he believes is a conservative estimate given past attendance figures. McNamara argues that with proper investment and transit improvements, the OSC could attract more visitors than currently projected, saying, “Science Centre used to host more than 1.1 million visitors as recently as 2010. If renovated and served by two mass transit lines, this number is likely to be more than 1.1M, not 885,000.”
The ex-Shopify executive also raises concerns about the heritage status of the current OSC buildings and the associated costs of maintaining them. He points out that, similar to the Ontario Place Pods, the OSC buildings are heritage assets that require significant upkeep. This complicates the potential redevelopment of the Don Mills site, as any modifications would need ministerial consent.
He tweeted, “Even if the government developed the Don Mills site, it may be required to keep the Moriyama & Teshima buildings and fix the roofs anyway because they’re designated heritage (just like the Ontario Place pods they had to keep).”
A significant theme in McNamara’s commentary is the lack of transparency and public involvement in the decision-making process. He criticizes the government for not engaging with the community and for framing the OSC as “run down” and “unsafe” without sufficient consultation. “They didn’t talk to us like we’re adults, and now everyone is mad. Rightfully so,” he wrote.
McNamara suggests that the highest and best use of the Don Mills site could be a mixed-use community, blending the OSC’s educational mission with residential and commercial spaces. He calls for a more inclusive approach to urban planning that respects both public interests and the heritage value of the site.
“The point is: we’re supposed to decide on changes like this together, not read about them in the footnotes of press releases,” he ended.
The closure impacts numerous programs and events at the Science Centre. According to the Centre’s official statement, summer camps, school visits, and private events are among the affected activities. Refunds will be provided, and efforts are underway to offer alternative arrangements for camp families.
In the interim, the Science Centre plans to continue delivering innovative science experiences virtually and through pop-up events, while preparing for a new permanent home at Ontario Place.
Information for this briefing was found via the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
Lets hope the site is used to build homes.
Private developers can get that done quickly and if they make some money good for them. We can put the OSC anywhere no big deal the current building is just a concrete block and not very distinguished one. We need homes, quickly but we will waste millions of taxes payers money to make a few lawyers rich litigating the matter, while the concrete rots and politicians look for photo ops. the only thing they are good at