This has been announced for awhile. It was suppose to have been completed last year, but no it is not canceled. There are funding issues, even though the project will only cost $4.5-million. Science World still intends to go ahead with this project...it is their top priority.
It's a shame that they couldn't do more with an expansion. The museum really lacks exhibits, because it lacks space....the admission prices are quite ridiculous, considering what you get to see. I would love to see an underground expansion under the proposed footprint for the Outdoor Experience Park....see 85,000 square feet of exhibit space added to the building....but they would need serious funding for that to happen, and perhaps more annual operational grants from government.
They had huge problems with accommodating the Body Worlds 3 exhibit because of a lack of space. They even had to close down part of the Eureka physics exhibit to fit in Body Worlds. In fact, as many as 12 full body and even a horse specimen that was part of Body World's 3 could not have been brought to Science World due to a shortage in space.
I also hope to see government subsidize admission fees like in Europe. The Hong Kong Space Museum admission fee is subsidized by the government, because it was British influenced when Hong Kong was still a colony. For about CAN$2.00, I could get into the space museum...which was about the same size as Science World. Not to mention that an additional cost for a movie at the museum cost only CAN$0.60. If that were put in place here, you'd have flocks of people going to museums.
Anyhow, I'm not sure how much mileage they'll get out of this proposed outdoor expansion with all the rain we get....nobody wants to be playing out in the rain...especially parents with their kids.
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Ken Spencer Science Park at Science World
Continuing in its tradition of turning kids on to science, Science World today unveiled a conceptual plan for a science park unlike any other in North America. Assisted by a commitment of $1 million from lead donor Dr. Ken Spencer (co-founder of Creo Products), the Outdoor Science Park will
animate the rapidly developing False Creek neighbourhood with an array of public and private, colourful, interactive exhibits focusing on the issue of environmental sustainability.
“As Past Chair of Science World’s Board of Governors, I have long been an advocate for all the lively programs and exhibits that exist inside the TELUS World of Science building. I am thrilled today to present the opportunity to bring that same vibrancy outdoors,” says Dr. Ken Spencer. “Imagine False Creek alive with kids learning about potential energy, local water sources and even urban housing growth through bright, hands-on, engaging exhibits!”
Science World’s intention is to develop the 84,000 square foot area surrounding the TELUS World of Science building with a private component (“Ken Spencer Science Park”) and free-to-the-public components (“Environment Walk” & “Water Walk”). Whereas the public areas will provide self-directed, unstaffed exhibits and a practical pedestrian traffic flow on the Sea Wall, the Ken Spencer Science Park will offer more complex, guided exhibits and activities. All exhibits will be designed to educate visitors -- with Science World’s trademark playful style -- about the issues affecting local and global environmental sustainability.
“Environmental sustainability is one of the most relevant topics in science today, especially in our part of the world. But the confines of our facility make it difficult for us to fully engage kids with this issue,” says Bryan Tisdall, Science World’s President & CEO. “We are excited to offer kids the opportunity to learn about the environment directly in the elements, rather than in an enclosed space.” To make the Outdoor Science Park a reality, Science World is now working toward gaining the approval and support of the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, as well as
community leaders and associations. In addition to Dr. Ken Spencer’s generous gift to the project, Science World is also seeking financial support from individuals, the corporate sector, and government. Science World hopes to open the Outdoor Science Park in 2007.
DID YOU KNOW:
- The Telus World of Science 'golf ball' is actually a geodesic dome, the design of which was created by American inventor R. Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983).
- The building was constructed for Expo 86 and served as the Expo Centre. During the World's Fair the pavilion housed the Futures Theatre. The film A Freedom to Move was featured in the Omnimax Theatre.
- The building contains seven galleries, two theatres, four teaching labs/classrooms, a gift shop, a restaurant and administration offices.
- The building is 155 feet tall and has a volume of 36,790 cubic metres
- The building is supported by 182 piles and a foundation of reinforced steel in a concrete slab.
- There are 391 lights and 766 triangles on the Science World dome.
- There are 15,000 pounds of extruded steel and steel panels on the dome. The panels are 1/40,000th of an inch thick and are covered with a vinyl surface.
- A 45-minute Omnimax film requires about four kilometres of film stock.
- The Omnimax theatre screen is five stories high
- The 15,000-watt xenon lamp that lights the screen is so bright that if you placed it on the surface of the moon and focused it at a spot on Earth, you could see its light.