Archive:Science World at TELUS World of Science
Science World is a non-profit science center in Vancouver, British Columbia.
History
In 1977 Barbara Brink ran mobile hands-on exhibits known as the Extended I around the Lower Mainland. Later, the temporary Arts, Sciences & Technology Centre opened on January 15, 1982 attracting over 600,000 visitors. Another 400,000 benefited from the centre’s outreach programs, which were delivered around the province.
Following the Expo 86 World’s Fair, an intensive lobbying campaign was launched to secure the landmark Expo Centre building for Science World. With much government backing, the facility was obtanied from the province and a massive fund-raising campaign ensued. Donations from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments, the GVRD, the private sector, foundations and individuals contributed $19.1-million to build an addition to the Expo Centre, redesign the interior and fabricate exhibits. In 1988, in a four month preview, over 310,000 visitors came to see the new building. A year later they opened the worlds largest OMNIMAX screen in the upper section of the ball.
The centre entered its first title sponsorship agreement with Alcan Inc. in 1996, renaming its OMNIMAX Theatre the Alcan OMNIMAX Theatre. In late 2004, the Science World officially changed the name of the entire building to Telusphere as part of an agreement with Telus, the center's sponser. The name change is not reflected on it's website, in the name of the near by Skytrain station nor by the general public as it is still widely known as Science World.