New Ontario Science Centre Facility
- Location:
- Toronto
- Project Type:
- DBFM - Design Build Finance Maintain
- Infrastructure Type:
- Other
- Client:
- Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
About the Project
As part of the province’s work to rebuild Ontario Place into a into a world-class, year-round destination, Infrastructure Ontario (IO) is working with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming to build a new state-of-the-art Ontario Science Centre facility on the mainland at Ontario Place. The historic Cinesphere and Pod complex will also be preserved, updated and integrated into the new facility.
Latest News
Project Status
- Planning, Design and Conformance Request for Proposals: June 22, 2023
- Planning, Design and Conformance Contract Award: December 1, 2023
- Request for Qualifications: May 9, 2024
- Request for Proposals: January 27, 2025
- Contract Award: February 26, 2026
Features
The relocation of the Ontario Science Centre will bring exciting science-based educational programming to the heart of Ontario Place, sparking curiosity and innovation for a new generation of visitors and inspire young minds to envision future careers in science. Science-based programming is also in keeping with the original vision for Ontario Place to be a destination for learning and innovation.
Green Features
The new state-of-the-art facility will also integrate and embody sustainability principles. The facility will be designed and constructed to achieve targets for energy use intensity (EUI), operational and embodied greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI), thermal energy demand intensity (TEDI) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
Demonstrating Value
The new Ontario Science Centre is being delivered using an innovative variant of the Design Build Finance Maintain (DBFM) model, labeled the DBFM Semi-Wide Equity model, which is being deployed on an inaugural basis in Ontario. The DBFM Semi-Wide Equity model is structured in line with best practices on the standard DBFM delivery model and entails all the key benefits of a DBFM model which include (without limitation) risk transfer to the private sector over the life of the project agreement, greater cost and schedule certainty, greater potential for design and construction efficiencies, as well as innovation and higher maintenance quality encouraged through performance-based service payments over the 30-year term. The innovative aspect of the DBFM Semi-Wide Equity model is that while it permits the Project Co from utilizing debt financing during the project’s construction stage, it requires the Project Co to deploy a sizable amount of equity financing as the sole source of capital during the project’s operational term (no long-term debt financing allowed). This capital structuring feature of the DBFM Semi-Wide Equity model equips the Contracting Authority with enhanced strategic flexibility during the operating period of the project while optimizing financing costs over the life of the project, compared to the standard DBFM model.
Based on precedent experience, a DBFM procurement model typically has delivered value for money savings in the range of 15% to 22% compared to undertaking the same projects using traditional delivery models.
Learn more about IO’s delivery models and associated features.
Terms of Use
These project documents are being made available on this website for informational purposes only. Neither Infrastructure Ontario nor the Ministry of Infrastructure makes any representation or warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of the content or form of these documents.
Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Infrastructure, in their sole and absolute discretion, may choose to make available on this website amendments, revisions, modifications or replacements to these documents. These documents remain open for further revision, modification, replacement or cancellation by Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Infrastructure at any time and in no event shall either Infrastructure Ontario or the Ministry of Infrastructure be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the content of these documents.