Archives
November 14, 2008
Teens Are Invited to Help Shape the Future of TELUS World of Science
November 14, 2008 – As part of the New Science Centre 2011 Project, TELUS World of Science
– Calgary is looking for inspirational youth to provide their input in developing teen-focused
aspects of the new science centre.
“We are inviting youth aged 14 to 17 to assist our planning team in developing teen-focused
aspects of the new science centre,” says Lisa Polley, Youth Programs Coordinator, TELUS World
of Science . “We want to ensure that what we develop for teens really resonates with them. We
can’t think of a better way to do that than to invite teens themselves to be part of the planning
process.”
15 youth will be selected following an application process. Applicants will be selected based on
the diversity of their personal pursuits and their interests in science, art and technology.
Applications are available at www.newsciencecentre2011.ca and will be accepted until December
1st, 2008.
Teens are invited to use their innovative and creative ideas to inspire and engage other youth by
creating events and sharing their thoughts. The Youth Advisors will work on project-based
assignments that will primarily influence the content and programming of the Suncor Energy
Foundation Design It! gallery.
The Suncor Energy Foundation Design It! Gallery 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. Design It! is about seeing, making and exploiting connections to solve
problems.
September 25, 2008
Werklund Foundation Gives Generously in Support of a Learning & Leadership Centre at the New TELUS World of Science
September 25, 2008 – TELUS World of Science – Calgary is 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.”
To support the vision of the Werklund Foundation Learning & Leadership Centre, the physical
space will encompass dedicated learning spaces for physical and virtual collaboration, selfdirected
exhibits about different learning styles and a mandate to collaborate with formal
learning institutions to facilitate collective advancements in learning and leadership.
“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,” notes Jennifer Martin. “We expect to see students leave the Werklund
Foundation Learning & Leadership Centre with an increased sense of responsibility and
understanding of how each person can be a better citizen.”
The Werklund Foundation is dedicated to ensuring the success of today’s youth by providing
them with the inspiration to make a difference in their lives, and ultimately, the world,” said
David Werklund. “It is our desire to ignite the potential of youth and support them in both
realizing their dreams as well as pursuing them. We will create a major cultural shift – where
people are comfortable in their own skin, aware of who they really are, and as a result, are able
to build a strong sense of community and respect for one another, taking ownership of their lives
and responsibility for their own actions.”
April 21, 2008
Designs of Calgary’s New World-Class Science
Centre Unveiled
CALGARY – April 21, 2008 – TELUS World of Science – Calgary today proudly unveiled designs of
Calgary’s new, world-class science centre. It will be located on a 15-acre parcel of land just north
of the Calgary Zoo.
“This building was designed for Calgarians and southern Albertans. They’ve told us what they
want in a science centre and we are delivering on those requests,” says Bill Peters, Chief Project
Officer, New Science Centre 2011 Project. “We are very proud of the designs, what will result
from them, who they will serve and what they will represent.”
The exterior of the building features a bright iconic roof that symbolizes Calgary and southern
geology. The building is enveloped in bright colors that are representative of Calgary’s young,
vibrant and bold spirit. The building will also feature an interactive exterior that blends science
and art. It has been designed to high “green” standards and will achieve a minimum Silver LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification.
The interior of the new science centre will feature a large and open atrium, a Learning &
Leadership Centre, four themed galleries: Energy & Innovation; Earth, Space & Our
Environment, Human Body, and Technology, Style & Art, in addition to the Creative Kids
Museum and a travelling exhibition gallery, a dome theatre and an observatory. The new TELUS
World of Science will use technology, including the Alberta SuperNet, to link classrooms,
bringing young minds together throughout Alberta and Canada.
The New Science Centre 2011 design team is comprised of lead architect Alan Collyer, a partner
with Cohos Evamy integratedesign, who designed the building, Doug Olson of O2 Planning +
Design who is leading the landscape architecture and Bill Chomik of Kasian Architecture Interior
Design and Planning who is designing the dome theatre. Each member of the design team has
exceptional experience and reputation as leading, world-class architects. The Project Manager is
Harold Perrin of Stantec and CANA is the construction manager.
“Civic projects of this magnitude have a fundamentally important role in shaping and defining
who we are from a cultural, social and intellectual perspective,” says Alan Collyer. “We have
created a design which embraces TELUS World of Science’s vision for inspired learning
experiences, community, architectural excellence and environmental sustainability.”
The new TELUS World of Science will be the first Canadian purpose-built science centre in over
25 years and will be one of Canada’s largest science centres with 140,000 square feet of
permanent and travelling exhibition space. It will welcome more than 500,000 guests annually.
“We are building a new science centre for Calgary and southern Alberta because our current
facility has simply run out room,” says Duncan Kent, Managing Director and Acting CEO of TELUS
World of Science – Calgary. “Our new facility will enable us to offer more science and art
learning opportunities to many more people and a greater variety of age groups. We will make a
positive contribution to Calgary’s quality of life through our in-house and outreach programs,
building and physical grounds. ”
The New Science Centre 2011 Project will contribute to the renewal of the Nose Creek area by
reclaiming and “greening” a brownfield site. It will be easily accessible and together with the
Calgary Zoo will create a central and significant regional tourism destination.
The new TELUS World of Science will cost $160 million. To date, $40 million has been raised
from the City of Calgary in capital funding and the donation of land. The Government of Alberta
has committed $40 million and $40 million has been requested from the Government of
Canada. $40 million will be raised from corporate and private sector donations. To date, over
one‐third of this goal has been raised through a naming sponsorship from TELUS Corporation
and other donors.
April 2, 2008
TD Bank Financial Group Contributes Generously to Environmental
Science Programming for the New TELUS World of Science – Calgary
Calgary, AB – April 2, 2008 – 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.
“The environment is an issue that’s important to all of us and creating a fun, dynamic place for
children to learn about the world and our place in it is a great idea,” says Frank McKenna, Deputy
Chair, TD Bank Financial Group. “TD has a long history of supporting both the environment and
education and what better way to have a positive impact on our communities than through
teaching our children to be environmentally aware.”
TELUS World of Science is currently building a new, world-class science centre that will be
Canada’s first new science centre in over a decade and one of the country’s largest with over
130,000 square feet of travelling and permanent exhibition space.
“TELUS World of Science currently embraces environmental stewardship through interactive
exhibits, school programming, environmentally-focused day camps and Earth Day activities,”
says Don Kjosness, Chair, Board of Directors, TELUS World of Science. “With this generous gift
from TD, these activities will be significantly enhanced and expanded when the new science
centre opens in 2011.”
Environmental awareness is a priority for TELUS World of Science. Aside from promoting
environmental responsibility amongst guests, the physical property of the new science centre will
achieve a minimum Silver Level LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). It will
be the only science centre in Canada to meet such standards.
“TD is taking a leadership role in environmental education with this generous gift,” says Jennifer
Martin, Vice President, Program and Operations, TELUS World of Science. “We applaud their
interest in and dedication to enlightening youth about our environment.”
November 26, 2007
New Science Centre 2011 Project Takes Major
Step Forward with Leadership Transition
November 26, 2007 – Plans to build Canada’s first new major science centre in over a decade
are taking a major step forward with today’s announcement that TELUS World of Science –
Calgary President and CEO Bill Peters will be transitioning into a new role as Chief Project Officer
for the New Science Centre 2011 Project.
Bill has been President and 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 worldclass
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. For more information about the New Science Centre
2011 Project, visit www.newsciencecentre2011.ca.
July 3, 2007
World-Class Team Assembled to Design
State-of-Art Science Centre
July 3, 2007 - TELUS World of Science – Calgary is one step closer to bringing a new
state-of-art science centre and children’s museum to our city with the announcement of
a world-class team of architects. Lead architects Alan Collyer and Donna Clare of Cohos
Evamy integratedesign will head the site design, supported by Bill Chomik of Kasian
Architecture Interior Design and Planning leading the design of the Dome Theatre and
Douglas Olson of O2 Planning + Design leading the landscape design.
“After completing an international search to find the top architects capable of
incorporating the considerable technical challenges associated not only with building a
new science centre, but also the need for a design conducive to learning, I am very
confident that we now have the best team we could assemble for this project”. says Bill
Peters, CEO and President of TELUS World of Science - Calgary.
The international search to find the best possible team to design Canada’s newest
science centre has resulted in a team of exceptional local designers. “Calgary is home to
some superior architectural ability and this is demonstrated by the team we have
engaged.” explains Bill Peters.
Alan Collyer and Donna Clare of Cohos Evamy integratedesign – the firm that designed
the Calgary International Airport, the CCIS National Headquarters in Ottawa, the RCMP
“H” Division Headquarters in Halifax, the expansion of TELUS World of Science–
Edmonton and now the Royal Alberta Museum to name a few – bring creativity, knowhow
and a depth of experience to the design of culturally intelligent public spaces. As
leaders in environmentally responsible design, Cohos Evamy will apply their expertise to
deliver a science centre that minimizes the impact on the environment through the
application of green design principles and energy efficient strategies.
Bill Chomik of Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning will design the new
facility’s dome theatre. Having designed the current TELUS World of Science –
Calgary’s Discovery Dome Theatre and others around the world, the new facility will
boast a dome theatre designed by the world’s expert in this field.
Douglas Olson from O2 Planning + Design will lead the landscape design with an
integrated design approach to create a dynamic synthesis between architecture and
landscape. Sustainable landscape principles will be also featured in storm water
management bioswales, previous green pavers, green roofs and a palette of native
vegetation.
Scheduled to open in 2011, the new TELUS World of Science will be located north of the
Calgary Zoo on a 15 acre site. The new facility will have the capacity to accommodate
500,000 visitors per year – nearly double the current 265,000. It will be the first new
Canadian science centre in more than a decade. A new facility is necessary to meet the
growing demand for science and art learning in Calgary and southern Alberta.
Work on the design of the new TELUS World of Science – Calgary will begin
immediately, with concept drawings expected to be available this fall.
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