WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
About Northwest Expansion
Since 2010 Science North has had a satellite office in Thunder Bay to provide entertaining and educational science experiences to Northwest Ontario. 10 years later, the organization is reaching nearly 30,000 youth annually in Northwestern Ontario through school and community programming, public events, First Nations outreach, camps and much more!
Five years ago, Science North began a full review of its outreach efforts in Northwestern Ontario to evaluate future opportunities for growth in this region. The results demonstrated that there is a strong business case for additional culture, recreation, and tourism attractions in the Northwest. An expanded Science North presence could address this need with high-quality, entertaining, science-based experiences, education and activities.
Over the next five years, Science North will build new visitor attractions that will provide expanded opportunities for community members and produce significant impact on the Northwest economy.
The project will be reflective and engaging for Indigenous audiences, with Indigenous knowledge and perspectives being at the forefront. The schematic design phase will be supported by Science North's Northwestern Indigenous advisory committee and will include the hiring of an Indigenous Community Engagement coordinator.
A Permanent Presence in the Northwest
SCIENCE CENTRE IN
THUNDER BAY
A brand new 3,200m² facility will be built in Thunder Bay that will bring science to life with fun and unique hands–on learning experiences and interactive activities for the whole family!
Science Centre
in Kenora
A 370m² addition to the existing Lake of the Woods Discovery Centre will be built in Kenora to engage visitors in the everyday life of science. From the ecology of Lake of the Woods, to exciting new innovations in science and technology, there will be something for everyone!
Expanded Outreach
Programs
Hitting the road, Science North will increase the number of outreach programs we deliver. From our high impact science shows, hands-on school programs and Summer Science Camps, to adult events like Nerd Nite and Brain Tap, we will serve the Northwest region with a multitude of science programming for all ages.
PROJECT IMPACT
Thunder Bay
20,000 out-of-town tourists, generating 5,000 overnight stays annually
$45M in value added benefits
$6M annually through visitor spending and operations
12 full-time permanent and 12 part-time jobs at the new centre.
Kenora
5,200 out-of-town tourists generating over 1,000 overnight stays annually
$5.4M in value added benefits
$2.6M annually through visitor spending and operations
8 full-time permanent and part-time jobs at the expanded centre
Outreach Programs
A staging ground to reach students in rural and remote Northern communities with expanded educational opportunities
Deepen engagement with Indigenous audiences
Enhance STEM opportunities for youth
Learning experiences such as student and job placements, and volunteer positions, to provide personal growth and development opportunities
Project Timeline
Spring 2022
Funding announcements in Kenora & Thunder Bay
Project team and community-based committees/working groups assembled
Summer 2022
Community engagement workshops
Final site selection in Thunder Bay
Visitor Experience conceptual plan drafted
Downtown Science and office open house every Friday
Fall 2022 & Winter 2023
Community engagement workshops continue
Visitor Experience concepts finalized
Schematic Design phase closes
Public presentations of building design
Advisory
Committee
Members
We Want to Hear from You!
With the creation of permanent locations of science centres and expanded programming in Thunder Bay, Kenora and beyond, we want to hear from our communities across Northwestern Ontario to tell us what they would like to see in these new locations.
MEDIA RELEASES
AUGUST 2022
JUNE 2022
MARCH 2022
For all media inquiries contact:
JULIA AELICK
Senior Manager, Marketing
Science North & Dynamic Earth
aelick@sciencenorth.ca
(705) 522-3701 ext. 358
