Celebrating the impact of Science North

Science North is the biggest tourism attraction in Northern Ontario, an economic impact study commissioned by the science centre found.

About 381,000 people visited during the 2014/15 season, said the study by TCI Management Consultants, and a total of 10 million since it opened in 1984. Of these admissions, more than 100,000 were tourists from outside the local area who generated $41.5 million in economic impact locally, or $45.6 million provincially.

A number of officials gathered in the cavern at the science centre Friday to trumpet the results of the study. Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault said he remembered being upset when he was a kid that Bell Grove Arena was being closed to accommodate the new centre.

“Thank the Lord you did, because this is a fantastic place,” Thibeault said. “It's something we need to celebrate … Our kids are learning about science and want to learn even more about science.”

Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre the centre is an example of the world-class things that can be done in a mid-sized city such as Greater Sudbury.

“It is everyone's go-to destination when we have family and friends visit the city,” Lefebvre said.
FedNor has invested more than $8 million in the centre since it opened, he said, and is now looking to expand its export business.

Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré praised the “pioneers” who worked so hard to make their vision of the centre a reality at a time when the city's economy was struggling.

“Little did they know they were changing the landscape of our city,” Serré said. “There's something special about Science North. It's known around the world as a world-class science centre.”

CAO Guy Labine said the centre's secret to success is its ability to continually renew and change itself through new exhibits, as well as through major additions such as the IMAX cinema and the major upgrades at Dynamic Earth.

“Science North continues to have a positive influence on the Greater Sudbury community, the Northern Ontario region and the Province of Ontario through economic and job growth,” Labine said in a news release. “It was important for Science North to have an independent assessment and review of Science North’s economic impact.”

Speaking Friday, he said the study showed how much of an impact the centre has had on the area's economy.

“Consider how different Sudbury would be if Science North didn't exist,” Labine said. “We look forward to another 30 years.”

Among the study's findings:

– Science North's operating budget of $14.8 million a year translates into $37 million of benefits for the local and provincial economy per year, and every year Science North’s operations create and support 329 jobs.

– In the last 31 years, Science North’s capital investments have totalled $152 million and has supported 732 jobs.

– Science North has been a key part of the region’s tourism industry and annually sustains 313 local jobs and a total of 337 in the province.

– Since 1994/95, Science North has been involved in the development and lease or sale of exhibits, films, and other attractions. The total value of this activity, measured in terms of 2014 dollars, is $54.2 million ($2.71 million annually). The economic spinoff has generated $130.6 million in direct and indirect impact. Additionally this has helped to create and sustain 1,155 jobs province-wide.