The Ontario Science Centre hosted a wedding the day after its dramatic shutdown
CTV
The day after the doors of the Ontario Science Centre closed to the public on the grounds that its roof was failing and unsafe, the centre’s management made an exception to allow a wedding and reception on its grounds.
The day after the doors of the Ontario Science Centre closed to the public on the grounds that its roof was failing and unsafe, the centre’s management made an exception to allow a wedding and reception on its grounds.
Groom James Hewson told CTV News he’s incredibly grateful that his wedding – planned for months – could still go ahead, though he admits he can’t square that exception with the public messaging around the building’s dramatic shutdown.
“They told us, ‘Don’t listen to what you hear on the news, the building is safe. The only danger is the snow, and that’s no danger anytime soon,’” Hewson said in an interview.
“One of the staffers told me that it was someone high above that made sure our wedding went ahead. I don’t know who that could have been. I can’t help but thank them,” he said.
It’s another strange twist to the story of how the provincial government pointed to an engineering report they claimed said the Science Centre was unsafe to occupy, even though critics – including the firm that designed the building – said the report gave other options to safely maintain the building.
A Science Centre spokesperson said in a statement that staff are still allowed in the building as they vacate the building and ensure exhibits are properly managed and stored before October 31.
“As the decant was not yet fully underway and this event did not conflict with any immediate measures, the exception was made and the wedding proceeded safely as scheduled,” said Laura Berkenblit.
