Dynamic Earth digs up final $2.8 M expansion.

Having recently completed a $4 million project, Dynamic Earth officials are looking to embark upon a third, and likely, final phase of construction in the form of a $2.8 million expansion.

"Things are just in the planning stage right now and there's nothing that's absolutely set in stone," says Tina Montgomery, director of Dynamic Earth.

"We're very excited about it, and we look forward to being able to provide more great experiences for our visitors."

As a sister facility to Science North in Greater Sudbury, the earth science, geological and mining education attraction will add up to 4,000 new square feet of exhibit space. This will involve adding 2,000-square feet of space across two floors on the existing building's south end.

The upper floor will be dedicated to a changing exhibit space. As a reflection of Science North's strategy, different exhibits will be offered on an annual basis, with content being adjusted to suit current events or the whim of Dynamic Earth officials.

The lower floor will host a gallery dedicated to above-ground mining processes, such as milling and refining.

This phase may also seek to upgrade existing gallery spaces. Preliminary ideas include adding a "rock lab" to the site, featuring an interactive analysis of minerals and geology-related workshops.

Construction is currently out for tender, and work is expected to begin in the coming months in order to be prepared for unveiling in spring 2008.

The third phase of the project has already earned some support from public and private-sector partnerships. For example, the provincial government has committed to cover half the project's cost through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation. Xstrata Nickel also recently announced it was providing $100,000 to the development of the mining processes gallery, to be known as the Xstrata Nickel Mining Gallery. As Dynamic Earth is still in talks with various potential funding partners, Montgomery is uncertain as to whether a capital campaign will be necessary.

Phase Three promises to be the facility's last major capital expansion.

First opened in April 2003, Dynamic Earth has seen a spike in attendance with the completion of each passing stage. With a season that stretches from March to October, visitor counts have grown steadily since the spring 2007. This year's numbers are expected to reach between 50,000 and 60,000, with more than half consisting of out-of-town visitors. However, Montgomery says she expects local residents to show increasing interest as the exhibits change in the coming years.

"The first year was our best year at 55,000 visitors, but that's because it was a new attraction. Hopefully with Phase Three and the ability to change things year over year, we'll certainly expect and hope to surpass those numbers."

Overseen by JN Construction Ltd., the passing of Phase Two saw the construction of several new facilities, including an expanded lobby, new exhibits, a three-tonne floating granite globe, and the Atlas Copco Theatre.

Featuring 150 seats, the new theatre not only airs various related films, such as the Science North production Gold Fever, but also hosts private speaking engagements and corporate presentations. This feature has met with some success, having been privately rented out at least once a week since April.

www.dynamicearth.ca

BY NICK STEWART

Northern Ontario Business