New Calgary Science Centre - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Mr.Coffee · 07-25-2006, 02:16 PM

That last thread about Calgary hitting 1,000,000 people and then turning into more of a C-Train discussion reminded me of a marketing project I had to do at U of C. Don't ask why... but anyways. There are other new things coming to our city. A new Science Centre is being planned for (if I recall correctly from class) sometime in 2008, and will be constructed just north of the zoo (like across the parking lot). It's being moved/constructed there for a few reasons. Most of which you can find at this site:

http://www.calgaryscience.ca/organiz...sion/index.php

Thought some people might find it interesting. I know I did. The one in Vancouver is unreal compared to ours, and I think these facilities are excellent educational tools as well as fairly entertaining if you have a day to spare with nothin to do.

Supposed to be double the size!

Bunk · 07-25-2006, 02:50 PM

It is an exciting project. The leaders at the science centre really seem to have the ambition to turn this into a real landmark architecturally and culturally in our city. Too bad it isn't somewhere downtown still though.

Some other really great projects coming up are the new Central Library, which just announced the team that will run the international design competition. The U of C's downtown urban campus is also another exciting institutional project. It is supposed to be upwards of 750 000 sq ft and $300 million in the East Village. Will be a great catalyst along with the library for vitalization of that community.

photon · 07-25-2006, 03:02 PM

Great news, thanks for posting this!

HelloHockeyFans · 07-25-2006, 03:09 PM

Ooo I love Science Centres. Great place for kids AND adults!

Incogneto · 07-25-2006, 03:19 PM

interestingly enough, This has to do with the C-Train development. I have heard before that the expansion to the west needs to run directly through where the Current Science center is located.

Bunk · 07-25-2006, 03:32 PM

^that is true. The west line will run through there.

MrMastodonFarm · 07-25-2006, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

Ooo I love Science Centres. Great place for kids AND adults!

The one time I went to the Calgary Science center it was a great place for kids, that was about it. I don't know if it just happened or it was design, but hopefully that changes in the new one.

STeeLy · 07-25-2006, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InCoGnEtO

interestingly enough, This has to do with the C-Train development. I have heard before that the expansion to the west needs to run directly through where the Current Science center is located.

I've heard rumors that BRT Route 301 going from downtown towards Westside Rec Center will technically mark the new LRT route heading west from 10th street, is that true?

moncton golden flames · 07-25-2006, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh white

Too bad it isn't somewhere downtown still though.

In the true context of Downtown, you are right, it isn't Downtown. But is less than 2km from DT, it is virtually DT. Especially with land prices and values DT, a move just outside the commercial core is almost inevitable, isn't it?

Bunk · 07-25-2006, 05:45 PM

True - and it works well synergistically with the Zoo as a family attraction.

Mr.Coffee · 07-25-2006, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

The one time I went to the Calgary Science center it was a great place for kids, that was about it. I don't know if it just happened or it was design, but hopefully that changes in the new one.

Yeah your absolutely correct about this, there just simply isn't a whole lot worth seeing at the CSC if your an adult. I also should mention that in terms of this fact, Vancouver's dwarfs Calgary's by quite a large margin, and that if you do go to Vancouver- its worth checking out. Lots of neat exhibits on display that would interest adults as well as children. And really there's no reason why that shouldn't be the case.

I remember a large discussion about this with my class and the representative in charge of marketing for the CSC. She was adamant that their target market was children- and don't get me wrong, it probably is. But that doesn't mean there shouldn't be ANYTHING of interest to adults.

It was interesting too- in that my group researched some exhibits the new science centre could include. There are tons out there, including sports specific exhibits like ones discussing/demonstrating the science involved with hockey.

I-Hate-Hulse · 07-26-2006, 09:56 AM

A great example of how a science center can appeal to young and old is the Science Museum in London England. Lots of interactive displays for the young'uns and lots of cool facts for the adults (ie a whole display on DNA and hereditary traits of your childred. That place had me captivated for 12 hours. Incredibly, it's free admission!

The Ontario Science Center wasn't bad either.

FireFly · 07-26-2006, 10:55 AM

I have to throw this in there... This is one of the reasons I love Telus, they sponser so many great causes around Canada from Olympic Hockey and the Calgary Flames to the science centres in I think almost all the major cities. It's their support that is allowing the science centre to expand that much and I think it's great. Anyways, when my neices come to visit me for the weekend, I always hit up the science centre with them.

North East Goon · 07-26-2006, 10:59 AM

Will the teenagers still be able to get drugged up and watch Pink Floyd laser light shows?

Ozy_Flame · 07-26-2006, 11:07 AM

When I worked there, we had our fair share of young adults and hippies alike asking the same question.

Believe it or not, there used to be a problem of drug dealers making their deals in the back of the Circle of Discovery, especially at the end of the day when the last hour was free.

Dumb little fact.

Muta · 07-26-2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

The one time I went to the Calgary Science center it was a great place for kids, that was about it. I don't know if it just happened or it was design, but hopefully that changes in the new one.

I don't think so. Having recently worked there for the past four years (yes I know Ozy_Flame), I can tell the new Science Centre will still be directed towards kids/teenagers. While there might be an expanded area for adults as well, it's main focus will be on the sub-15/16 crowd.

I've seen the concept drawings on paper for the new facility, and Calgary is in for a real treat. It's going to be one of the most high-tech science centres in North America.

BTW, if you drive by the current facility, there's construction going on on at the rear of the building on the Bow Trail side. This is called the Creative Kids Museum, and the entire building will, literally, be picked up and moved to the new facility once the new science centre is constructed.

Also, the C-Train will run through to the west, but there's red tape involved in the decision process because the current science centre is only apprx. 5 years away from being designated a historical building, and at that point it cannot be demolished. So, at this point, the fate of the current facility is in debate as we speak.

BTW Mr. Coffee, I think I may have reviewed your business marketing report at some point... I remember taking a look through those a while ago. There was some really good stuff in there!

Mr.Coffee · 07-26-2006, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muta

I don't think so. Having recently worked there for the past four years (yes I know Ozy_Flame), I can tell the new Science Centre will still be directed towards kids/teenagers. While there might be an expanded area for adults as well, it's main focus will be on the sub-15/16 crowd.

I've seen the concept drawings on paper for the new facility, and Calgary is in for a real treat. It's going to be one of the most high-tech science centres in North America.

BTW, if you drive by the current facility, there's construction going on on at the rear of the building on the Bow Trail side. This is called the Creative Kids Museum, and the entire building will, literally, be picked up and moved to the new facility once the new science centre is constructed.

Also, the C-Train will run through to the west, but there's red tape involved in the decision process because the current science centre is only apprx. 5 years away from being designated a historical building, and at that point it cannot be demolished. So, at this point, the fate of the current facility is in debate as we speak.

BTW Mr. Coffee, I think I may have reviewed your business marketing report at some point... I remember taking a look through those a while ago. There was some really good stuff in there!

Why wouldn't they just construct the Creative Kids Museum at the site, don't they have all the land issues worked out and everything?

That's great news that it will be such an advanced building. On the CSC website however, they mention that there were several different prototype themes they were looking at (like math, biology... and I forget the last one)- have they chosen a theme/look yet?

I'm not sure my group's marketing report would have been one of the "better" ones if you know what I mean. We actually didn't end up doing very well. Some of them however were unreal.. from what I saw.