Archive:Science World at TELUS World of Science
Science World is a non-profit science centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, at the end of False Creek.
Its official name is Telus World of Science.
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 benefitted 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 geodesic dome, designed by Buckminster Fuller, 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 world's largest OMNIMAX screen in the upper section of the dome, seating 400 people.
The centre entered its first title sponsorship agreement with Alcan Inc. in 1996, renaming its OMNIMAX Theatre the Alcan OMNIMAX Theatre. In the summer of 2005, Science World officially changed the name of the entire building to the TELUS World of Science, after lukewarm reaction to the proposed name Telusphere. This was part of an agreement with Telus, the centre's sponsor. The name change has been made on the exterior of the building, but not in the name of the nearby Skytrain station nor by the general public, as it is still widely known as Science World.