Science World (Vancouver) - History

History

In 1977, Barbara Brink ran mobile hands-on exhibits known as the Extended I around the Lower Mainland. Later, the temporary Arts, Sciences & Technology Centre opened in downtown Vancouver on January 15, 1982 attracting over 600,000 visitors. Another 400,000 benefited from the centre’s outreach programs, which were delivered around the province.

When Vancouver was awarded to host the transportation-themed 1986 World's Fair (Expo 86), a Buckminster Fuller inspired geodesic dome was designed to serve as the fair's Expo Centre with construction beginning in 1984 and being completed by early 1985. After Expo closed its gates in October of that year, an intensive lobbying campaign was launched to secure the landmark building, relocate the "Arts, Sciences and Technology Centre" into the post-expo dome, and convert the Expo Centre into Science World. With much government backing, the dome was obtained from the province and a massive fund-raising campaign ensued. Donations from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, the GVRD, the private sector, foundations, and individuals contributed $19.1 million to build an addition to the Expo Centre, redesign the interior and fabricate exhibits. In 1988, in a four-month preview, over 310,000 visitors came to see the new building. A year later, The 400 seat OMNIMAX theatre in the upper section of the dome was opened, extending upon the 3D IMAX theatre which was built in 1986 for the Expo "Transitions" film series.

The centre entered its first title sponsorship agreement with Alcan Inc. in 1996, renaming its OMNIMAX Theatre the Alcan OMNIMAX Theatre. Alcan has since decided to sponsor the organization in different ways and the theatre has returned to its original name, the OMNIMAX Theatre. In January 2005, the building was officially renamed "Telusphere" as part of an agreement where Telus gave a $9-million donation in return for the "naming rights" of the building. This new name proved universally unpopular. In the summer of 2005, Telus and Science World officially changed the name of the building to the Telus World of Science. This maintained consistency with other "Telus World of Science" centres in Calgary and Edmonton that were named in the meantime. This name change has not affected the nearby SkyTrain station and the general public still refers to it as Science World.

During the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, Science World was transformed into the Russky Dom (also known as Sochi.ru World), which profiled plans for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. From February 12 to 28, 2010, the general public was allowed into the Russky Dom from noon until 5 p.m. In the evenings, parties were held in the Russky Dom for accredited guests.

Science World underwent renovation after the 2010 Winter Olympics. The indoor renovations are complete as of mid-2012 and the adjacent Ken Spencer Science Park is scheduled to be finished construction in late 2012.