FEDNOR INVESTS $1.25 MILLION DOLLARS IN EXPANSION OF SCIENCE NORTH’S DYNAMIC EARTH
SUPPORT OF NORTHERN ONTARIO TOURISM
The Honourable Greg Rickford and Science North CEO Guy Labine at the Energy and Mines Ministers Conference opening reception at Science North where Minister Rickford spoke regarding funding for the expansion of Dynamic Earth and Science North’s Arctic Voices travelling exhibition. Submitted photo.
SUDBURY, ON – The Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Initiative in Northern Ontario (FedNor) is investing in the expansion of Dynamic Earth, a major tourist attraction and tourism driver for the North. The project will also benefit six other Northern Ontario attractions, while promoting partnerships with post-secondary institutions, the mining industry and private sector businesses. FedNor is also providing financial support to Science North’s new blockbuster exhibition Arctic Voices, including the development of new polar bear and Arctic-themed experiences for the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat.
The Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor), highlighted the investment of $1.25 million dollars in support of these initiatives during the annual Energy and Mines Ministers Conference, being held this year in Sudbury and co-hosted by the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) and Natural Resources Canada.
“Science North is a cornerstone of Northern Ontario’s tourism industry and the Harper Government, through FedNor, is proud to support the continued growth of this impressive facility. Today’s investment of more than $1.2 million will not only create jobs in the region, it will also further position the science centre as global leader of this important sector of the economy,” stated Minister Rickford.
“We are thrilled that FedNor is investing in the expansion and renewal of Dynamic Earth. It’s important to continuously change the visitor experiences which attract new tourists and encourage existing visitors to return. This investment will also support the on-going effort to strengthen our work and relationship with the mining industry,” said Guy Labine, Science North CEO. He added, “This investment will have strong economic impact by attracting tourists to Sudbury and Northern Ontario. Another part of the project is the collaboration between Science North and six other attractions in the North. We will partner with each organization to install Northern Nature Trading experiences, and in turn contribute to the ongoing growth and sustainability of those attractions, while generating increased economic activity in each of the respective communities. We’re also thankful for the opportunity to work with the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat to develop exhibits for that facility, as well as programming which benefits both our centres and our communities.”
DYNAMIC EARTH EXPANSION AND RENEWAL
Plans for the expansion and renewal of the science centre include upgrades to the exhibit galleries at Dynamic Earth. The new exhibits will focus on re-greening & sustainable mining, while highlighting the industry’s social and environmental responsibility focus.
A new multimedia object theatre will tell the meteorite impact story and explain the formation of the Sudbury Basin. It will double as a multi-use space also suitable for program delivery.
An outdoor science park and interpretive trail system will feature large-scale exhibits and visitor experiences for all ages. The outdoor science park will incorporate playful and interactive exhibits that allow visitors to make the connection between mining, geology and everyday life, while having fun and being active. The design of the interpretive trail system will include exploration pods that encourage visitors to discover the story of the landscape of Sudbury and Northern Ontario, while engaging them in challenges that help to better understand the history of mining and how it has shaped the region.
NORTHERN NATURE TRADING EXPERIENCES
The Dynamic Earth expansion and renewal project also includes collaboration with six other attractions in the North where new Northern Nature Trading experiences will be installed. The Northern Nature Trading experiences are based on the model that currently exists at Dynamic Earth through the Rockhound Lab, and at Science North through the Nature Exchange.
At present there are more than 50,000 traders who visit Sudbury’s science centres to trade rocks, minerals and other items found in nature. Many of the traders registered in the Science North database travel from North Bay, Timmins, Sault Ste Marie, Thunder Bay, Kenora and Red Lake.
Discussions with potential partners are currently underway, and the future locations of the new Northern Nature Trading experiences will be announced at a later date.
ARCTIC VOICES & COCHRANE POLAR BEAR HABITAT
Arctic Voices, a new blockbuster exhibition co-produced by Science North and the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, opened in Sudbury in March and runs through October 13, 2014. The exhibition invites visitors to find out what affects the Arctic and in turn, how the Arctic has an impact on the whole planet.
Arctic Voices begins its international tour when it opens at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa on December 5, 2014. Arctic Voices is the 10th travelling exhibition to be produced by Science North. Proceeds from lease revenues for this exhibition are reinvested back into Science North – Northern Ontario’s science centre – to continue attracting tourists.
The Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat, the only captive bear facility in the world dedicated solely to polar bears, is another driver of tourism for the North. As is the case for Science North, ever-changing exhibits are crucial to maintaining the interest of current audiences and for growing new audiences.
As part of this partnership both centres will work together to create new visitor experiences for the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat. Some of these new visitor experiences include a customized video theatre, interactive and participatory experiences, and technical equipment for live links. The new technical equipment will allow for the sharing of visitor programs between both sites. Sudbury audiences will be able to use the technology to “Meet the Bears” at the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat. In Cochrane, visitors will be able to teleconference with Science North and “Meet the Scientists”. Existing interactive experiences at the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat will also be updated with new content. All the changes aim to create a refreshed attraction that appeals to tourists and encourages first-time and repeat visitation.
The collaboration will also provide opportunities for Science North and the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat to work together to cross-promote each other’s attractions and develop packages for themed experiences, which will result in mutual benefits and increased tourism activity for Northern Ontario.
“On behalf of Cochrane and the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat we are pleased and appreciate FedNor’s support in facilitating an ongoing partnership between Science North and the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat,” says His Worship, Peter Politis, Mayor of Cochrane. “This investment allows the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat to remain a strong contributor to tourism development in the North. Lastly, I’d like to thank Science North for, once again, including us in this exciting project.”
PARTNERSHIPS
The project includes the development of mutually beneficial partnerships with local schools including post-secondary institutions, the mining industry, and private sector businesses.
“Currently there is a 40-percent retirement rate in the mining industry in Canada. Rapid growth in the industry means that thousands of new workers annually will be needed in the coming years,” stated Julie Moskalyk, Senior Manager of Dynamic Earth. “For many students, Dynamic Earth offers the first opportunity to go underground and discover how mining has changed over the years. Our science centre plays a key role in engaging youth in earth sciences and inspiring them to consider a career in mining or related industries.”
“Enhancing the attraction by changing experiences and adding a multitude of new ones ensures the students in our Specialist High Skills Major program continue to have opportunities to explore and discover the unique world of mining,” said Leo Leclair, Specialist High Skills Major coordinator for the Rainbow District School Board.
“Dynamic Earth is a state of the art visitor centre for the earth sciences. It showcases the history and heritage of mining, and how the industry has changed and driven the modernization of mining technologies and techniques that we see around the world today,” exclaimed Dick DeStefano, Executive Director SAMSSA. “It is through the types of experiences offered at the Dynamic Earth attraction, that a ‘spark’ is created and a curiosity factor explored to the next level. These types of experiences play a large role in creating interest among today’s youth in wanting to explore post-secondary education opportunities and careers in mining.”
