Sudbury's Science North celebrates 30 years
As Science North marks its 30th anniversary, its founders are reflecting on the influence the Sudbury science centre has had over the decades.
The hexagon-shaped structure is perched on the rocky shores of Ramsey Lake.
Former CEO Jim Marchbank said Science North helped revive the city's image.
"Sudbury has gone from before Science North opened from being absolutely dead last on the tourism attraction meter of Northern Ontario to being far and away number one," he said.
Marchbank said Science North is considered one of the top ten science centres in the world, but it took a while for Sudbury to embrace it.
"We had to work at that and people had to gain an understanding of what a science centre was and the kind of impact it could have on the community."
Morning North listener have been sharing their memories of visiting Science North over the years on Morning North this week:
Connecting with the community
Former project director Dave Pearson said visitors come back to Science North because they've made personal connections.
"They had a good time talking to a blue coat up on the third floor or in the, the high tech area or the cyber zone on the fourth floor," Pearson said.
Current Science North CEO Guy Labine wants to make sure that continues.
"What is going to be the next way that we engage with visitors, whether it's using more interactive, exhibit elements, more technology," he said.
Labine said Science North is about to undergo an ambitious plan to expand it's sister property Dynamic Earth, home of the Big Nickel.