Peer review confirms science centre disrepair: province
CBC
The provincial government says a new peer review of the engineering reports it commissioned confirms the structural issues at the Ontario Science Centre — which it says justifies the choice to shutter the building.
But engineers CBC Toronto spoke to this month said the initial report actually indicates the science centre could be worked on and its lifespan extended.
The original engineering reports nor the peer review recommend a permanent closure of the science centre.
"There is a great need of repair in order to fix the existing science centre it would cost half a billion dollars," said Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma at the news conference Thursday.
It's why the government has decided to close the building and build a new facility, she said.
The original engineering reports were conducted by Rimkus Consulting Group and focused on the use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the science centre, which is a lightweight substance popular with building construction in the 1960s, when the structure was built.
RAAC is a lightweight material, but is also weaker and has a shorter lifespan than normal concrete, engineers told CBC Toronto earlier this month.
The peer review, which Ontario says is standard practice in engineering, was conducted by engineering firm VanBoxmeer & Stranges Ltd., said the province Thursday.
That review found the original engineering Rimkus reports on the science centre, "...was a concise and comprehensive narrative that adequately addresses the risks associated with RAAC element in existing building," the VanBoxmeer review, which was released by the province Thursday, states.
"The peer review confirms the original engineering report published on June 21, 2024, was conducted in accordance with standard engineering practices," the province said in a news release Thursday.
The VanBoxmeer review says it agrees with Rimkus that "immediate remediation" is needed on critical risk and high risk roof panels before October 31 to keep the building safe.
On Thursday, John Carmichael, the board chair of the science centre and Paul Kortenaar, the CEO, released a joint statement that said confirms their agreement with the province's choices.
The centre's Board of Trustees voted to close the building after a recommendation to do so from the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure, they said.
"We look forward to announcing the site of our interim location as soon as possible," they said. "Our future is bright, and we are excited for what lies ahead," they said.
It's arguably Dawson City, Yukon's most iconic and beloved old taverns, and in a town renowned for its watering holes — another bar famously serves drinks garnished with a desiccated human toe — that's saying something.
First Nation expresses opposition to major projects ahead of prime minister's visit to Prince Rupert
Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Prince Rupert today to meet with Coastal First Nations to discuss major projects in northern B.C.
The Manitoba government will not order public servants back into the office full-time, bucking recent moves by Ontario and Alberta.
Before the sun rises and the first customers arrive, Dora Rzeszutek unlocks the front door of B & B Snack Bar restaurant in London's Woodfield neighbourhood.
When U.S. President Donald Trump’s top trade representative outlined conditions Canada would need to meet with a mandatory review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) looming, familiar issues like dairy supply management made the list.
Thousands of people living in Newfoundland and Labrador started the day without electricity, as Newfoundland Power dealt with widespread outages.
More than 700 people have been evacuated from Kashechewan First Nation so far, according to the community’s executive director. But most of the community is still waiting to leave.
A community-based response team being piloted in Dartmouth, N.S., offering an alternative model to police to support people in crisis, is expanding to 24-hour service.
N.B. Power estimated it would need to increase revenue from power rates by almost five per cent to pay for electricity from a new natural gas generating station in Tantramar, according to documents filed with the Energy and Utilities Board.
Local groups for snowmobilers, skiers and snowshoers are working hard to clear trails in and around Flin Flon, Man., but poor snow conditions and damage from last summer's fires — hundreds of downed trees, burned terrain, upturned roots and destroyed buildings and bridges — is making it difficult.
When Jermain McKenzie thinks of Trevor Dubois, he remembers an infectious laugh and a sense of humor that makes you laugh until you’re crying.
This story is a collaboration between CBC Visual Investigations and the Investigative Journalism Foundation (IJF).
Overcrowding at the Niagara Detention Centre (NDC) reached its highest levels since 2019 in the first half of 2025 — with an occupancy rate of 136 per cent, according to data analyzed by CBC News.