$27-million project planned for Montréal Biosphère – Ontario Construction News

Ontario Construction News staff writer

The governments of Canada and Quebec and the City of Montréal are planning a joint $27-million investment over three years to support the Biosphère and expand its environmental education and programming.

Each level of government plans to contribute $9 million toward the project  to strengthen the museum’s educational mission, enhance programming and improve the visitor experience, particularly for youth and students.

The Biosphère is the only museum in North America dedicated to socio-environmental change. It is also one of five institutions that make up Montréal’s Space for Life museum complex.

Housed in the geodesic dome designed by architect Richard Buckminster Fuller, in collaboration with Shoji Sadao, the Biosphère was built for the 1967 Universal Exposition. The museum combines science, art and public perspectives through exhibitions, events, educational activities and collaborations with scientists, artists and environmental organizations.

Planned funding is expected to support environmental education, access to scientific knowledge and public engagement on issues including climate change, ecological transition and protection of natural heritage.

“The Biosphère is an iconic place where science, education, and dialogue help us better understand the environmental issues of our time,” Provost said. “This investment will reaffirm our commitment to protect nature, make knowledge accessible, and encourage citizen action.”

Boulet said the investment will help preserve the Biosphère as an important part of Quebec’s heritage while supporting its educational mission.

“Quebecers expect their governments to collaborate to carry out promising projects,” he said. “By confirming a $9 million investment in the Biosphère, we are protecting an iconic place of our heritage while giving it the means to continue its mission of raising awareness and education for years to come.”

The Space for Life complex also includes the Biodôme, Insectarium, Montréal Botanical Garden and Montréal Planetarium. It is operated by the city’s Space for Life, Major Parks and Mount Royal department.

“At the Biosphère, we offer experiences that bring science, art, and communities together to help better understand environmental issues and empower people to take action,” Julie Jodoin, director of Space for Life, Major Parks and Mount Royal said in a statement.