Sudbury's Science North celebrates 30 years

As Science North marks its 30th anniversary, its founders are reflecting on the influence the Sudbury science centre has had over the decades.

The hexagon-shaped structure is perched on the rocky shores of Ramsey Lake.

Former CEO Jim Marchbank saidScience North helped revive the city's image.

• PHOTOS: Science North over the years

"Sudbury has gone from before Science North opened from being absolutely dead last on the tourism attraction meter of Northern Ontario to being far andaway number one," he said.

Marchbank saidScience North is considered one of the top ten science centres in the world, but it took a while for Sudbury to embrace it.

"We had to work at that and people had to gain an understanding of what a science centre was and the kind of impact it could have on the community."

Morning North listener have been sharing their memories of visiting Science North over the years on Morning North this week:

Connecting with the community

Former project director Dave Pearson said visitors come back to Science North because they've made personal connections.

"They had a good time talking to a blue coat up on the third floor or in the, the high tech area or the cyber zone on the fourth floor," Pearson said.

Current Science North CEO Guy Labinewants to make sure that continues.

"What is going to be the next way that we engage with visitors, whether it's using more interactive,exhibit elements, more technology," he said.

Labine saidScience North is about to undergo an ambitious plan to expand it's sister propertyDynamic Earth, home of the Big Nickel.