A new science centre planned for Thunder Bay’s waterfront by Science North has hit a snag.
The facility is set to be located near the new waterfront art gallery, which has also been paused – construction was originally expected to begin in spring 2027.
“At this time, Science North recognizes that the project will take longer to advance than originally anticipated,” Science North senior marketing specialist Phil Howard told in an email. “While we haven’t established a revised timeline, our commitment to the project’s vision and importance hasn’t changed.”
“Our planning for the Thunder Bay Science Centre continues to be guided by what’s needed to ensure the project is successful over the long term,” the email states. “Our commitment to Thunder Bay, Northwestern Ontario, and expanding access to science experiences across Northern Ontario remains as strong as ever.”
“The work completed to date continues to provide a strong foundation, and we’ll continue planning for the project as opportunities arise and the appropriate conditions come together.”
The federal government pledged $20 million toward the science centre in 2025.
“I think the important thing to note is that neither of these are city projects,” Mc Kellar Ward Coun. Brian Hamilton – both the art gallery and science centre are located in the Mc Kellar Ward – said. “Of course the city wants to facilitate development of the waterfront.”
Hamilton said the science centre is a “very ambitious” project that “would require significant provincial and likely federal dollars to see it across the finish line.”
“The one thing worthy of note is that we are in a trade war with the United States right now,” he said. “That is actually having (an) impact, I’m sure, across budgets both federally and provincially.”
“Some of the trade considerations internationally are affecting these big projects, and certainly affecting their completion dates.”
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