The Discovery Centre is exploring options for a move from its downtown location, but it's still too early to say if and when that will happen, says CEO Dov Bercovici.
Shop owners at Dartmouth's Alderney Landing fear they'll soon be displaced by the Discovery Centre, but there's no imminent plan to move to the Dartmouth waterfront, says Bercovici. "That's just one of several locations we've looked at." Other potential sites are Dartmouth Crossing, Port of Halifax land near the new Seaport Farmers' Market and expansion at the current 1559 Barrington Street location.
The Barrington Street building is the subject of a development application now working its way through the planning process. Owner Frank Medjuck proposes to tear down the existing structure and erect in its stead a 20-storey tower.
Bercovici envisions any future move coinciding with an expansion of the Discovery Centre from its present 24,000 square feet to 40,000 square feet. This would allow for an increase in attendance from this year's 80,000 visitors to 150,000 annually. Much consideration is being given to parking and reduced rent. "Nothing's definite yet," he says, saying any move is likely three or four years away. —TB
