February 20, 2008

WATERWORKS EXHIBIT SET TO MAKE WAVES IN SUDBURY

McGuinty Government Supports Cultural Tourism In Northern Ontario

SUDBURY — Families visiting Science North will soon be able to make rainbows, play ‘water pinball’ and learn how to conserve water – and save money – at the WaterWorks: Soak Up The Science exhibit.

Opening March 1, the exhibit has four themes:

• The Physical Properties of Water. Activities include making rainbows, examining rain drops and discovering the perfect snowflake
• Water For Life. Families can find out how water gets to their taps, how much water they use and how they can save water.
• Harnessing Water’s Power. Learn how to control the flow of water with a friendly game of water pinball or try piloting a submarine.
• Water Theatre. Walter the water molecule takes guests on a funny, fast-paced adventure.

Created by Science North, WaterWorks will run in Sudbury until the fall. Then it will travel across North America to other science centres and museums over the next five years.

The McGuinty government is investing $150,000 to help market WaterWorks across Ontario. The funds are being provided through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, which helps cultural organizations like Science North to develop, promote and present unique events and exhibitions.

The funding builds on the government’s $800,000 investment in WaterWorks through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, which helps create jobs and strengthen the economy of northern communities.

“Water Works is the latest in a long lineup of innovative, crowd-pleasing exhibitions at Science North,” said Culture Minister Aileen Carroll, who announced the funding with Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci. “We are pleased to help promote this fun and informative exhibit across Ontario.”

“Science North is a major cultural attraction in Greater Sudbury that helps boost our tourism industry and the economy,” said Bartolucci. “The new WaterWorks exhibit will give families another great incentive to visit, explore and enjoy Northern Ontario.”

“We are very pleased to receive this substantial funding boost from the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation,” said Jim Marchbank, Science North CEO.  “WaterWorks is a timely exhibit that will educate young and old alike about freshwater issues and conservation.  It will also instill a renewed sense of importance about Earth’s most precious resource.”

Quick Facts:

• Science North is an architectural wonder – its two giant stainless steel snowflakes are linked by an underground tunnel carved out of two billion-year-old rock.
• Science North is the only science centre in the world with an in-house large format films production unit and has built a reputation as a specialist in environmental and natural history themes
• Science North is Northern Ontario’s most popular tourist attraction.


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Contacts:


Alicia Johnston, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-1676
Mark Thompson, Communications Branch, (416) 314-3497