Support from community, three orders of Government, critical to project's success
October 29, 2011, Calgary, Alberta – TELUS Spark, Canada's first new science centre in over 25 years, will open today in the heart of Calgary.
Located at the junction of Deerfoot Trail and Memorial Drive, the $160-million facility is the result of ten years of hard work and support from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, from Calgarians, as well as from private and corporate donors.
On hand to participate in the grand opening celebration were Alison Redford, Premier of Alberta, Michelle Rempel, MP for Calgary Centre-North, Naheed Nenshi, Mayor of Calgary, and Jennifer Martin, TELUS Spark President and CEO.
"TELUS Spark is an amazing facility that takes concepts into a brand new territory. It will be a source of learning and inspiration for citizens across Alberta and beyond,"
said Premier Redford.
"TELUS Spark inspires individuals of all ages to experience and embrace science, art and technology,"
said MP Rempel. "I'm pleased that we are supporting projects like this one that promote education and innovation while continuing to deliver economic benefits to Albertans and Canadians."
"This is truly a great addition to our community,"
said Mayor Nenshi. "Investing in innovative education resources that serve all Calgarians is very important. I expect the new Science Centre will be a key platform for continued innovation and learning in our great city."
"We are a nation of innovators, and nowhere is that more apparent than here in the City of Calgary,"
said President Martin. "TELUS Spark, the new Science Centre will foster engagement, collaboration, critical thinking and dialogue and we expect some of the ideas born here will have far-reaching impacts that will help make the World a better place."
The City of Calgary contributed $40 million, including 18 acres of land for the new location. The Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada each contributed $40 million to TELUS Spark. The remaining funds were raised through generous corporate and individual donations.
Canada's Economic Action Plan committed close to $16 billion to modernize a broad range of infrastructure including our roads, bridges, public transit, parks and water treatment facilities, and to support home ownership, help stimulate the housing sector and improve housing across Canada.
The 153,000-square-foot facility will be home to four exhibit galleries (Energy & Innovation, Earth & Sky, Open Studio and Being Human), in addition to an expanded and enhanced Creative Kids Museum, a Feature Gallery, a Learning Centre, a 164-seat Presentation Theatre, a 10,000-square-foot Atrium and Calgary's only HD Digital Dome Theatre (coming in Spring 2012). For more information, visit SparkScience.ca.
For additional information about investments in infrastructure, visit infrastructure.gc.ca.
To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit actionplan.gc.ca.
About TELUS Spark, the new Science Centre
TELUS Spark is Canada's first new Science Centre in over 25 years. The $160 million project includes a $40-million contribution from the Government of Canada's Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component, a $40-million contribution from the Government of Alberta and a $40 million contribution from the City of Calgary. It is a different kind of Science Centre – a true resource for all Canadians that will help define Calgary as the innovation and imagination capital of Canada.
For more information, contact:
Pierre Floréa
Press Secretary
Office of Canada's Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Daorcey Le Bray
Communications Advisor to the Mayor of Calgary
403-268-5091
dlebray@calgary.ca
Rida Rehmani
TELUS Spark
403-651-4043
media@sparkscience.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148 or
Toll free 1-877-250-7154
