An 84,000-square foot outdoor science park, costing about $4.5 million, has been proposed on the grounds of Science World
Chad Skelton
Sun
In honour of Science World being awarded a ‘green certificate’ by BC Hydro Power Smart, the lights of the dome (top) were changed to green. On the Science World site (right), technician Mark Nolette checks lights and backgrounds before a family-oriented, alcohol-free first night celebration. ROB KRUYT/SUN FILES
Science World will today announce an ambitious plan to build a $4.5-million Outdoor Science Park on the grounds around its iconic, geodesic dome.
The idea still requires city approval and additional funding, but high-tech millionaire Ken Spencer has already come forward with a donation of $1 million to get the project going, arguing that getting children interested in science is essential to developing B.C.’s high-tech sector.
“You’ve got to turn kids on to science,” said Spencer, who co-founded the software company CREO. “You’ve got to make science as fun as kicking a soccer ball.”
Detailed plans for the 84,000-square-foot park still need to be worked out, but conceptual drawings shown to The Vancouver Sun earlier this week envision three sections to the park.
The paid-entry Ken Spencer Science Park would be in front of Science World and included in general admission.
But the plan also include two free parks — an Environment Walk along Quebec Street, and a “Water Walk” along the water side of Science World.
All three sections would feature several outdoor science exhibits.
Science World president Bryan Tisdall said many existing outdoor science parks simply feature regular exhibits placed outside.
In contrast, he said, the Outdoor Science Park will focus on “the science of the environment and the science of sustainability.”
Initial ideas for exhibits include a model of the Capilano Reservoir that explains how the region’s watersheds work and a model “Climax Forest” that demonstrates how forests regenerate.
The design of the exhibits will be done by Science World staff, said Tisdall, but international companies will likely be contracted to build them.
Building such exhibits is a specialized art, he said, because they need to be able to withstand significant wear and tear.
“The motto is: If you build it, they will jump on it,” he said.
Tisdall said he hopes that the Outdoor Science Park will help renew interest in Science World and boost attendance by about 15 per cent — in part by making it an all-weather destination.
“We want to be as attractive on a sunny day as a rainy day,” he said.
Science World will launch a fundraising drive today, seeking support from individuals, corporate sponsors and the government to help cover the additional $3.5 million cost of the park.
Well, a little bit less than $3.5 million.
Eleven-year-old Shira Druker, whose mother was one of the consultants on the early plans, liked the idea of the park so much that she emptied her piggy bank twice to help pay for it, to the tune of $39.55.
The final plans for the park will require approval from city council and the parks board — votes that will likely take place after the municipal election this November.
Tisdall said initial discussions with councillors and city staff have been favourable.
If everything goes according to plan, Science World hopes to have the park up and running by 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.
Source: Science World
