TORONTO – As October’s warm sun shone down, Emma Meadley Dunphy took a poignant final journey through the now-empty Ontario Science Centre, preparing to vacate the building by midday on October 31.

The emotional atmosphere was palpable as she and her colleagues took one last look at the cherished spaces that had played a pivotal role in their lives and careers.

“It felt like a farewell tour,” Dunphy remarked. “Every corner held memories and everyone was feeling the weight of this moment.”

The closure, announced abruptly in late June due to structural concerns with the roof, has left employees and the surrounding community reeling.

Ontario officials have promised to relocate the science centre as part of a broader revitalization of Ontario Place, but many locals have expressed outrage over the decision—a political dilemma for Premier Doug Ford.

On her final day, Dunphy revisited some of her favorite spots, including the camp room where she volunteered as a high school student two decades ago and the remnants of the rainforest exhibit.

The animals once thriving there—turtles, snakes, fish, and even poison dart frogs—have all been rehomed, and much of the plant life has found new homes at the Toronto Zoo. However, five towering trees remain, surviving on the building’s automated watering system.

“This place had a magic to it,” Dunphy lamented.

“Now, that magic feels lost.”

The closure has not only affected the 500 workers at the science centre, but also the 28 cleaning staff laid off just before the closure, signaling the end of their union jobs that provided security and benefits.

Premier Ford's promises to assist them in finding new roles have gone unfulfilled, leaving many workers anxious about their futures.

Martin Fischer, president of Local 549 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, expressed a glimmer of hope amid the turmoil.

He pointed to ongoing repair efforts, which include scaffolding and roof work aimed at addressing the dangerous panels. "We appreciate that the building is getting repaired," he stated, "yet everyone is left wondering what that will ultimately mean."

The timeline for rebuilding remains uncertain, with the province eyeing 2028 at the earliest for a new permanent home.

Meanwhile, the scientific production team finds their work on hold, with machines now stored far from their original location. Many cherished exhibits and interactive displays have also been relocated across the province, including iconic pieces like the Canadarm and even bee hives that have found a new home at Black Creek Pioneer Village.

As Fisher reflected on his 25-year tenure, he noted, “This was a place where kids could freely explore and be themselves, and we hope it can be that again someday.”

For longtime visitors, like Ward Kennedy, the closure is filled with nostalgia.

He recalled his first visit in 1970 as a child and the many memories he created there, both as a visitor and a volunteer ham radio operator.

The memories linger, but they are tainted with loss as items collected over decades are systematically removed from the property.

Kennedy's bittersweet goodbye included dismantling equipment from the amateur radio station, with no plans for a replacement at the new facility.

“It’s hard to say goodbye to a place that has provided so much joy and inspiration,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.

As the workers and faithful visitors grapple with the unknown future of the Ontario Science Centre, one question looms large: Will the magic of this beloved institution be rekindled in a new location, or will it fade into a bittersweet memory?

The community waits anxiously for answers, hoping that the heart and spirit of the science centre will one day return, stronger than before.