Science North decommissions floating dock to make way for a new structure

No access to dock at Science North Science North says there is no longer access to its dock as the science centre works to install a replacement by next spring.

The dock linking visitors to the Jim Gordon Boardwalk in Greater Sudbury has reached the end of its service time and is being decommissioned.

Science North, which has taken care of the dock for 30 years, said a significant repair in 2019 led to an assessment of the dock in 2023, which revealed it needed to be replaced.

“To prioritize public safety, Science North has temporarily closed off access to the floating dock and disconnected its power source,” the science centre said in a news release Thursday.

“Science North is currently in the process of finalizing detailed plans to replace the dock. Once these plans are finalized, the existing dock will be decommissioned and removed to make way for a new structure. The current goal is to complete the installation for Spring 2025.”

An alternate walking route connecting visitors to the main boardwalk will be indicated.

“Regrettably, this circumstance also means that at this time the William Ramsey Boat Cruise will not be able to dock at this location,” the release said.

“However Science North continues to explore potential solutions and will provide updates as they are available.”

Science North will share updates about the timing of the removal of the current dock, and project details on their social media channels.

“It is imperative that the public refrains from using the decommissioned dock due to its unstable condition, which presents a significant safety risk,” the release said.

“Science North thanks the community for their patience and understanding during this transition.”