Ontario Science Partners (OSP) consortium has been awarded the contract to deliver a spectacular new Ontario Science Centre as part of a public-private partnership (PPP) with Infrastructure Ontario (IO). The contract is for the design, build, finance, and 30-year maintenance (DBFM) for the Centre, and rehabilitation of the iconic Cinesphere and Pods at Ontario Place. Financial close was reached on February 11, 2026.

OSC consortium is comprised of John Laing Group, Sacyr Infrastructure Canada Inc and Amico Major Projects Inc.

At an event held yesterday in Toronto, Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, announced OSP as the successful bidder and highlighted the significance of this iconic project for the province and city of Toronto. The newly designed Ontario Science Centre will be a world-class facility offering science-based educational programming where generations of visitors can explore the wonders of science. The prestigious project represents a transformative step for science education and public engagement in Ontario. 

A joint venture, with Sacyr and Amico each holding a 50% stake, will serve as the Design-Build Contractor for the project. Construction of the new Centre is scheduled to begin in Spring 2026. The project will generate significant construction activity and long-term operational employment over its life. 

The contract is procured under a Design Build Finance Maintain (DBFM) and is valued at C$1.04 billion (€645 million). 

The consortium has achieved financial close with a combination of local and international banks for a non-recourse senior revolving credit facility. This facility will be used to finance the initial investment and will be fully repaid at the end of construction phase. Equity contributions from OSP Consortium shareholders will serve as the sole source of long-term financing.

Sacyr's first P3 in Canada

This project marks Sacyr’s first P3 project in Canada, meeting the company’s goal in the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan of increasing its asset portfolio in English-speaking countries. 

Leaders from the consortium’s member companies expressed confidence in the team’s ability to deliver an exceptional project. In a joint statement from the group, they said, “Our consortium brings together industry leading expertise that is informed by extensive global and local experience. The new landmark will inspire generations of bright minds – from schools and families all across Ontario – and ignite their curiosity for decades to come. 

By making science more accessible to the public, we hope to support Ontario’s long history of scientific research, backed by leading institutions and Universities. All of us at OSP are delighted to have been entrusted with the building of this public legacy.”

The new OSC will incorporate sustainability targets, including LEED Silver certification, optimized energy performance, and GHG emissions reductions. The design will be led by renowned Canadian firm Hariri Pontarini, in partnership with the prestigious international studio Snøhetta.

Revitalization Ontario Place

The new Ontario Science Centre is a key project in the Ontario government’s plans to revitalize Ontario Place, an entertainment area on the shores of Lake Ontario, which will become a modern cultural hub and one of Canada’s primary scientific outreach facilities.

Beyond the new construction, the project includes the rehabilitation and upgrade of select heritage assets, integrating them into the Centre’s overall program. These include the Pods (modular pavilions elevated above Lake Ontario, designed in the 1970s), the iconic geodesic dome Cinesphere (which will continue to function as a projection venue), and various pedestrian walkways connecting the different elements of the new Science Centre.

The new 400,000-square-foot facility includes a new 220,000-squre-foot state-of-the-art mainland building, a new pedestrian bridge connection, and the renovation and enhancement of existing infrastructure

Sacyr and Amico previously collaborated on the New Grandview Kid’s treatment centre in Ajax. The scope of the contract also includes 30 years of facility management and long-term maintenance to be delivered by Johnson Controls.