Projet Montréal wants the Biosphere to stay open
Projet Montréal wants to make a demand to the city that the Biosphere should remain open to the public. The federal idea is to make it into a meteorology centre without public access. Projet says this isn’t consonant with it being part of a public park (and I agree with them).
Marc R. 12:57 on 2012/08/10 Permalink
A meteorology centre WITH public access strikes me as an interesting idea, not just for school trips and such, but also as a tourist draw. It could incorporate elements of a natural history museum (as a complement to Pointe-à-Callière and McCord which focus more on human settlement) and could host talks/conferences concerning climate change and environmental issues. A costly project, of course, but not something I’ve seen anywhere else in Canada.
Kate 13:28 on 2012/08/10 Permalink
Isn’t that more or less what it is now? (I admit to never having visited it.)
Bill Binns 15:44 on 2012/08/10 Permalink
You didn’t miss much. A lot of very dated, very worn exhibits on the “St Lawrence Ecosystem”. Most of it looks like it’s aimed at kids under 10 and even then, any 8 year old that has an iPad waiting out in the car will not be able to escape fast enough.
The most interesting thing about the entire complex is the sphere itself.
Robert J 17:35 on 2012/08/10 Permalink
I don’t think the BioSphere’s a great museum either. The “environment” is a bit of a stretch for a subject of a museum (couldn’t that theme take up one room (or one wall) of the science museum? I have been there and remember it being really underwhelming
However, I do think the geodesic dome needs to stay open. They should put a small gallery affiliated with the MACM or something (they say they need more space).
Kate 10:05 on 2012/08/11 Permalink
The “environment” is a bit of a stretch for a subject of a museum
Considering that the environment is the whole of the surface of the planet that supports our entire species (and every other species we know about) I think a museum is hardly enough room to explain and discuss it!
I haven’t seen the Biosphere but I think I’m going to have to go have a look before it closes.