Check back often for news and updates about the New Science Centre 2011 Project!

Friday, July 26, 2009

 Ground Breaking Ceremony Marks Start to Construction of Canada’s Newest Science Centre

TELUS World of Science – Calgary today celebrated the start to construction of Canada’s first purpose-built science centre in more than 25 years. When complete in the fall of 2011, the world-class facility will be one of Canada’s largest science centres and will be a significant addition to the cultural offerings within the country.

"In these difficult economic times TELUS World of Science is an example of how all levels of government can work together and provide support for lasting infrastructure projects," said Minister Jim Prentice. "The city of Calgary will benefit from immediate jobs during construction and a centre that will promote the wonder and knowledge of science to children and families in the future."

“The Government of Alberta is a proud supporter of scientific education and there is no place better for our children to learn about the laws of nature than at the TELUS World of Science,” said Premier Ed Stelmach. “We are very proud to support such an important, world-class resource. We know the new TELUS World of Science will boost Calgary’s already-proud reputation as a centre of learning, and will further add to its commitment to curiosity and entrepreneurship.”

"The new TELUS World of Science provides a fun interactive environment for youth to learn about science, technology and art," said Mayor Bronconnier.  "As a community legacy for our future leaders, it offers guests a unique experience of discovery through a balance of right and left brain creative development."

“Through the creation of this extraordinary learning space, Calgary’s TELUS World of Science will continue to touch the lives of children and families,” said Karen Radford, president of TELUS Business Solutions. “We at TELUS are proud to do our part to help give our children, our future leaders, the chance to explore the wonders of science and technology in an environment that is educational and fun for the whole family.”

“Today’s event marks a significant milestone for the New Science Centre 2011 Project and would not have been possible without the support of the three levels of government, TELUS Corporation and our other corporate and individual donors. We are deeply appreciative to each of them,” said Jennifer Martin, President & CEO, TELUS World of Science – Calgary. “We have an amazing opportunity and responsibility to shape the future of this province by inspiring and supporting the next generation of scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs and innovators, and to engage our communities in discussion about the complex issues and challenges that face us. This project will expand Calgary’s profile by garnering the attention of a world that is aware that innovation – in all its forms – is a highly prized, competitive advantage.”

The new TELUS World of Science will be on the cutting-edge, featuring the newest technologies related to learning, presentation and building sustainability. It will be the first science centre of the 21st century. It will be a place where young minds can take risks, test themselves and challenge the status quo. It will be a place where audiences of all ages will have the freedom to ask questions, solve problems, create solutions and be free to have their ideas sometimes fail; the tenets of great innovative thinking. With a new focus on teens and young adults, TELUS World of Science will provide an engaging environment to expand their interests and awareness of science, technology and creativity at a crucial time in their education and career development.

Through the latest in digital technology and the partnerships to support it, the new TELUS World of Science will connect to all Canadians by providing immediate and continual access to programming beyond the walls of the building. Linkages with universities, industry, government research facilities, as well as other science centres will extend the impact and enrich the programs beyond anything that typical interactive exhibits have been able to achieve in the past.

The new science centre will cost $160 million. To date, $40 million has been committed from the City of Calgary, $40 million from the Government of Alberta and $40 million from the Government of Canada. The remaining $40 million will be raised from community donations. Significant funds have been raised to date from generous individual and corporate partners including our naming sponsor TELUS Corporation as well as Suncor Energy Foundation, Werklund Foundation, TD Bank, Devon Canada and more.

The new 153,000 square-foot science centre was designed by lead architects Cohos Evamy integratedesign. Exhibit and program development is being led by an in-house team of experienced science-centre professionals. Kasian Architecture Interior Design & Planning is the lead firm designing the Dome Theatre as well as the interior spaces. Landscape architecture is being led by O2 Planning + Design and CANA will lead the construction of the new facility.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Government of Canada includes TELUS World of Science's New Science Centre 2011 Project in Budget speech.

On Tuesday, January 27th, TELUS World of Science’s New Science Centre 2011 Project was included in the Government of Canada’s budget speech. Our request to the Government of Canada was for a $40 million, matching equal commitments from the Province of Alberta and the City of Calgary.

 “By showing support for TELUS World of Science and the New Science Centre 2011 Project, the Government of Canada along with the other two levels of government are demonstrating their tremendous vision for the future of Calgary and the long-term benefits that informal learning organizations have on the community,” says Jennifer Martin, President & CEO of TELUS World of Science – Calgary. “We are grateful to the Government of Canada for their support.”

 The New Science Centre 2011 Project is shovel ready and we hope to begin construction this spring.  As Canada’s first new science centre in more than 25 years, the new TELUS World of Science will encompass science, art and technology learning opportunities for children, teens and adults .

Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Suncor Energy Foundation and TELUS World of Science Partner to Benefit Calgary Youth

Margaret Byl, Suncor Vice President and Chief Information Officer

Suncor Energy Foundation is pleased to announce a five year, $2 million investment in TELUS World of Science - Calgary that will be used to fund a gallery dedicated to teens in the new science centre.

The Technology, Style & Art Hall, Presented by Suncor Energy Foundation will create an environment for teens and young adults where unusual combinations of art, science, technology, style and music collide to inspire thinking outside the box. Technology, Style & Art will be about seeing, making and exploiting connections to solve problems.

“The mission of TELUS World of Science is exactly what the Suncor Energy Foundation wants to encourage – stimulating interest among youth in science, technology and the arts,” says Margaret Byl, Suncor Vice President & Chief Information Officer. “That is precisely why we are involving youth in the creation of the gallery. These young Calgarians will come from diverse backgrounds and possess the expertise and insight required to develop a gallery that will get their peers excited about scientific and artistic learning.”

The two organizations also announced a call for Calgary teens aged 14 – 17 to be part of a 15 member Youth Advisory group that will help shape the New Science Centre 2011 Project. As Youth Advisors, teens will be involved in brainstorming, engaging other teens and sharing their thoughts with TELUS World of Science staff about what will resonate best with the teen demographic.

“We are very grateful to the Suncor Energy Foundation for their commitment to the New Science Centre 2011 Project,” says Jennifer Martin, President & CEO of TELUS World of Science – Calgary. “It’s clear that our organizations share mutual values when it comes to engaging teens in the fields of science, technology and art. By giving Calgary teens the opportunity to advise us on what they are looking for in a science centre, we are staying true to those values.”

The three first Youth Advisors were introduced today including Suncor-related teens Mudhuri Sharma and Kathleen Mullrooney and TELUS World of Science associated teen Himmi Cheruvu. All participants have a variety of interests ranging from sports to arts, science to music.

variety of interests ranging from sports to arts,
science to music.

Jennifer Martin speaking at the Suncor Energy Foundation annoucement

Margaret Byl speaking at the Suncor Energy Foundation annoucement

Kathleen Mullrooney, youth advisor, speaking at the Suncor Energy Foundation annoucement

September 25, 2008
Werklund Foundation Learning & Leadership Centre

On September 25th, TELUS World of Science – Calgary was pleased to announce that its plans for Canada’s newest science centre will include an area of significance that is unique to Calgary and Canada thanks to the Werklund Foundation’s generous $2.5 million contribution to the development of the Werklund Foundation Learning & Leadership Centre.

 “We are thrilled to partner with the Werklund Foundation in developing this distinctive and exciting aspect of our new facility,” says Jennifer Martin, President & CEO, TELUS World of Science – Calgary. “The Werklund Foundation is known as an organization dedicated to developing leaders and thanks to more than 40 years of history and success, TELUS World of Science is becoming a significant informal learning organization in Calgary. Together, the potential for what we can achieve in the Werklund Foundation Learning & Leadership Centre is unlimited and we are excited about the journey”.

“We are very happy to be part of the new TELUS World of Science,” says David Werklund, Founder, Werklund Foundation. “The Werklund Foundation is based upon a mission to make positive changes in the lives of children and teens by supporting educational programs that will assist them in achieving their highest potential. That said, I can’t imagine a better project to be involved with. We are eagerly anticipating 2011 and the opening of the Werklund Foundation Learning & Leadership Centre at the new TELUS World of Science.”

 The goal of the Werklund Foundation Learning & Leadership Centre is to help children and youth understand how they learn, help develop critical thinking skills and in turn develop self confidence, the ability to take risks and ultimately, to influence positive change in their communities. It is expected that students will leave the Werklund Foundation Learning & Leadership Centre with an increased sense of responsibility and understanding of how each person can be a better citizen.

Dave Werklund, Founder, Werklund Foundation

Mayor Dave Bronconnier

Jennifer Martin, President & CEO, TELUS World of Science – Calgary

Dave Werklund speaks at the Werklund Funding Annoucement

Taylor Wheatly speaks at the Werklund Funding Annoucement

April 21, 2008
Designs of Calgary’s New World-Class Science Centre Unveiled

Designed to become a new hallmark in Calgary’s city profile, the new TELUS World of Science – Calgary will be stunning architectural stand-out.

The new 153,000 square-foot science centre was designed by lead architects Cohos Evamy integratedesign. Exhibit and program development is being led by an in-house team of experienced science-centre professionals. Kasian Architecture Interior Design & Planning is the lead firm designing the Dome Theatre as well as the interior spaces. Landscape architecture is being led by O2 Planning + Design and CANA will lead the construction of the new facility. The new building will achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification.

The new TELUS World of Science – Calgary will be located at the intersection of Deerfoot Trail and Memorial Drive. As Canada’s first purpose-built science centre in over 25 years, the world-class facility will sit on an 18.46 acre parcel of land and will be over 153,000 square feet in size. It will encompass four dynamic learning halls in addition to a feature exhibit hall that will showcase traveling exhibits. A spectacular 10,000 square foot Atrium, the Werklund Foundation Learning & Leadership Centre, a 240 seat Dome Theatre and the Creative Kids Museum will also be featured in the new TELUS World of Science.

Alan Collyer, Lead architect and Duncan Kent, Managing Director and Acting CEO of TELUS World of Science – Calgary look at the New Science Centre 2011 Project model now on display at the TELUS World of Science.

Mayor Dave Bronconnier speaking at the design unveil

Bill Peters, Chief Project Officer, New Science Centre 2011 Project speaking at the design unveil

Architectural fly through

April 2, 2008
TD Bank Financial Group Contributes to Environmental Programming at TELUS World of Science – Calgary

Children will have an enhanced opportunity to learn about the environment thanks to a TD Bank Financial Group donation of $500,000. The funds will be used to develop environmental programming for youth at the new, world-class TELUS World of Science – Calgary, which is scheduled to open in 2011. TD’s gift is the largest donation to environmental programming in TELUS World of Science history.

Frank McKenna

Jane Wu

February 12, 2008
Provincial Government Announces Support for the New Science Centre 2011 Project

On February 12th, Premier Ed Stelmach visited TELUS World of Science – Calgary, toured the facility and hosted a press conference. During the press conference, the Premier announced that Government of Alberta will commit $40 million to the New Science Centre 2011 Project.

January 14, 2008
Record Numbers Show Need for New Science Centre
TELUS World of Science – Calgary is proud to announcing that 2007 was a record year for attendance with over 304,000 visitors (including over 54,500

students), up from 263,000 visitors in 2006.

TELUS World of Science – Calgary is proud to announce that 2007 was a record year for attendance with over 304,000 visitors (including over 54,500 students), up from 263,000 visitors in 2006.

“We are very proud of these strong attendance numbers,” says Duncan Kent, Vice Chair, TELUS World of Science – Calgary Board of Directors. “The numbers demonstrate that Calgarians understand and appreciate the value that we bring to the community. With that being said, our attendance has now fully doubled over the past 10 years and we are reaching the limits of our current facility. Calgary needs a larger, more dynamic science centre where we can properly meet the science and art learning expectations of Calgarians and Southern Albertans.”  

November 26, 2007
New Science Centre 2011 Project Takes a Major Step Forward with Leadership Transition
TELUS World of Science – Calgary President and CEO Bill Peters has transitioned into a new role as Chief Project Officer for the New Science Centre 2011 Project.

Bill had been President & CEO of TELUS World of Science – Calgary since 1991 and has been the visionary driver behind the New Science Centre Project from the very beginning. Effective immediately, former Board Chair Duncan Kent will move into the role of Acting CEO and Managing Director of TELUS World of Science - Calgary. Don Kjosness will become Chair of the Board of Directors. The search for a new President and CEO will begin immediately.

“Bill Peters has worked extremely hard to provide direction to the New Science Centre 2011 Project as well as leading the existing science centre through a series of extraordinary accomplishments during his 16 year tenure as President and CEO.” says Acting CEO and Managing Director, Duncan Kent. “With Bill now being able to dedicate his time to the planning, development and execution of the New Science Centre 2011 Project, we know that the project will be an amazing success. Bill has the vision and passion to ensure that we deliver the world-class facility that Calgarians deserve.”

The successes that TELUS World of Science – Calgary have experienced during Bill’s tenure include the renovation to make the Planetarium space into a fully functioning large-format theatre and an extensive building renovation in 1996, the opening of WOWtown in 2003 and most recently, the addition and opening of the Creative Kids Museum in 2006. Under Bill’s leadership, science centre attendance has doubled in the past decade and 2007 is expected to be another record-breaking year with over 300,000 visitors.

It is because of this extraordinary success that the current TELUS World of Science – Calgary has achieved record-breaking attendance numbers and has run out of room to grow. A new, world-class TELUS World of Science will be built on a 15-acre parcel of land north of the Calgary Zoo and is scheduled to open in 2011. The new TELUS World of Science will cost $160 million. The City of Calgary has already shown its support with a $40 million donation (including the land). $15 million in corporate support has been secured. Funding proposals are outstanding with both the provincial and federal governments.