The Ontario Science Centre will be moving to a revamped Ontario Place on Toronto’s waterfront. Premier Doug Ford unveiled plans for the next stage of a redeveloped Ontario Place that includes the new location for the science centre, an expanded amphitheatre, a public beach, bars, restaurants, a new marina, and a massive spa.

“It will be a state of the art, world class science centre,” Ford said at a news conference at Ontario Place, adding, “This is going to be spectacular.”

Construction on the new science centre will begin in 2025 with its opening scheduled for 2028, the science centre said.

“We are looking forward to working with our staff, visitors and communities over the coming years to imagine what the new Ontario Science Centre will become,” the science centre said in a statement. “This is a wonderful opportunity to set us on an exciting path where we will continue to inspire curiosity, innovation and discovery for generations to come.”

The science centre will become part of the cinesphere and the pods that were part of the original Ontario Place design.

The current science centre will remain open in the interim and will eventually be demolished, Ford said.

“All of us grew up going to the science centre at one time or another – it’s tired,” Ford said.

The redevelopment of the Ontario Place site has been in the works for years. The attraction, which opened in 1971, was closed to the public in 2012 after years of financial losses. Since then, the province has built a new waterfront park and trail at the site.

European company Therme Group is set to build a massive spa and waterpark, and Live Nation is set to build an outdoor concert venue at Ontario Place.

The plans also include a new pier, beach, and a large fountain for kids to play in.

But the plans have prompted criticism from the opposition and advocates who do not want to see a spa at a public park.

The designs for Ontario Place have also become an issue in Toronto mayoral byelection with some candidates saying they’re opposed to facilities such as a spa on public land.

Ford said opposition to the redevelopment plan “doesn’t cut it.”

“This is prime, prime real estate,” Ford said. “We need more venues here in Toronto to attract more tourists.”

The amphitheatre at Ontario Place will increase its capacity to 20,000 fans and hold concerts year round.

The redevelopment plans also contain a large underground parking lot for more than 2,000 cars plus a surface parking lot with space for 600 cars.

Ontario Tourism Minister Neil Lumsden said the government expects the new Ontario Place to attract upwards of six million visitors each year, with one million expected for the science centre.

The province is building a subway from Ontario Place to the current site of the science centre.