Federal government announces $19M for Science World - Action News
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British Columbia

Federal government announces $19M for Science World

The federal government says the money will go toward repairing Science World's geodesic dome, the building envelope, and fixes to its heating, electrical and ventilation systems.

Province had also committed to $20M for upgrades ahead of 40th anniversary of Science World in 2023

An exterior shot of Science World shows a geodesic dome structure nestled between condo buildings along the waterfront in Vancouver.
Science World is pictured in Vancouver in May 2019. The facility is receiving $19 million in federal funds in order to repair the building's geodesic dome and upgrade its heating, electric and ventilation systems. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Infrastructure Canada says $19 million in upgrades to Vancouver's Science World will increase the facility's lifespan and reduce its energy consumption by more than 40 per cent.

The federal government says the money will go toward repairing Science World's geodesic dome, the building envelope, and fixes to its heating, electrical and ventilation systems.

The funding was announced Wednesday by Minister Harjit Sajjan and Science World president Tracie Redies inVancouver.

Infrastructure Canada says in a statement the money will also go to reopening Science World's theatre and adding accessibility improvements to the facility.

Suspended workers are pictured repairing lights on the outside of the silver Telus Science World dome on a cloudy day.
Workers are pictured repairing lights on the outside of the Science World dome in downtown Vancouver in January 2023. The facility was built for Expo 86 in Vancouver. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

In April 2023, the B.C. government announced it would spend$20 million on upgrades to the building ahead of its 40th anniversary. At the time, Premier David Eby said the dome was leaking, and that upgrades to electrical and HVAC systems were needed.

Science World was originally built for Expo 86 as a "temporary signature site," with Infrastructure Canada callingthe upgrades "long needed."

The federal governments says the money is coming from its Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, and the upgrades will cut Science World's greenhouse-gas emissions and reduce its energy consumption by 42 per cent.

With files from CBC News