Ontario's Government for the people is supporting education-based tourism in Northern Ontario by investing in two Science North exhibits, creating four full-time jobs and retaining another 48 full-time jobs.
Today, Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, was at Lake of the Woods Discovery Centre to welcome Science North's Beyond Human Limits travelling exhibit to Kenora. The exhibit will be in Kenora from May 31 to June 22, 2019.
Beyond Human Limits explores the world of extreme sports - such as ice and rock climbing, parkour and wing suit flying - by bringing visitors inside the minds and bodies of the athletes. Designed for people of all ages, the exhibit provides the opportunity to experience the thrill of extreme sports through interactive simulations and educational displays.
Ontario invested $1 million in Science North for the design and implementation of Beyond Human Limits. The exhibit premiered in Sudbury in March 2018 and is now touring across North America. Science North also created a customized version of the exhibit that is touring across Northern Ontario with stops in Kenora, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins and Thunder Bay. This is Science North's 12th travelling exhibit.
Minister Rickford also welcomed the permanent installation of Science North THINK (tinker, hack, innovate, network and know) Hubs at Lake of the Woods Discovery Centre and Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre. The hubs will be installed beginning in fall 2019.
THINK Hubs will have exhibits, labs and programming spaces that encourage visitors to use science, technology, engineering and math to design and test their own creations while using tools such as specialized printers and coding equipment.
Ontario invested $1 million in Science North for the THINK project, which included renovations and installing the THINK visitor experience at the science centre in Sudbury, as well as establishing THINK Hubs in the communities of Fort Frances, Kenora, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay and Timmins.
"Education-based exhibits play an important role in Northern Ontario. Not only do they provide fun and engaging science experiences for northerners, but they also generate revenue for host communities and create employment," said Minister Rickford. "By investing in tourism projects that stimulate local economies, we are sending a signal that Northern Ontario is open for business and open for jobs."
"Science North's new strategic plan for 2018-2023 focuses on big change, including being the leader in science engagement and creating new collaborations across Northern Ontario," said Guy Labine, Science North CEO. "Through these projects in partnership with Northern attractions, Science North aims to build capacity in the North by contributing to the ongoing growth and sustainability of these locations, increasing local spending, providing tourism opportunities and giving local residents access to exciting, new science experiences at these venues."