SUDBURY, Ontario, August 26, 2009 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary for Official Languages and Member of Parliament (Saint Boniface), today announced funding for Science North's new digital dome planetarium, which officially opened its doors in July.
A converted gallery space, the 36-seat Planetarium is equipped with state-of-the-art technology including surround sound. The facility will primarily be used for viewing feature films about astronomy and space-related science. Funding will also be used to create a portable planetarium as part of Science North's outreach programming.
"Congratulations to Science North on 25 years of exceptional science and technology programming," said Minister Moore. "As one of Northern Ontario's key tourism sites, the Centre definitely makes a significant cultural contribution to this region."
"Our Government is pleased to support Science North's newest addition, which will add to the excellent programming provided in both English and French," said Mrs. Glover. "The creation of this outstanding Planetarium is a great example of what it means to reach for the stars."
"We are extremely pleased to receive this funding from the Government of Canada. In the first month since Science North's digital Planetarium opened, over 7 000 people have visited to discover the wonders of our universe in this immersive new attraction," said Jim Marchbank, CEO of Science North. "In the coming months, Science North will be extending the planetarium experience to school groups and residents of Northern Ontario as well."
Science North is Sudbury's Science Centre featuring an IMAX theatre; a Virtual Voyages motion simulator experience; and Dynamic Earth, a geology and mining centre. The Centre attracts approximately 300 000 visitors annually, 40 000 of whom are school children.
The Government of Canada has provided $490,000 in funding to Science North for this project. This funding falls under the Cultural Spaces Canada program, which seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and innovation. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts and to museum collections and heritage displays. The Program supports the improvement, renovation, and construction of arts and heritage facilities and the acquisition of specialized equipment, as well as conducting feasibility studies.
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired) (Toll-Free): 1 888-997-3123
