On the eve of the 25th anniversary of Expo’86, we have a look at where it all began. Denis Bouvier took this photo during construction of Expo Centre in 1984. The actual opening was May 2, 1985, exactly a year before the official opening of Expo ’86. Expo Centre, as it was originally named, was the preview centre of all that was to become the Expo site and was visited by nearly 700,000 people before the opening of Expo ’86. During Expo, it functioned as the Futures Pavilion.

Its iconic 17 storey geodesic dome patented by American inventor R. Buckminster Fuller was designed by Canadian architect Bruno Freshi, the chief architect for Expo ’86. The additions made to transform Expo Centre into Science World which opened in 1990 were by Canadian architect Boak Alexander.

The structure, known as Telus World of Science since 2005, is now undergoing a $35 million retrofit. Its indoor gallery space will be expanded by 14,000 square feet and there will also be a 35,000 square foot sustainable park on the building’s east side which will be used as an outdoor gallery and exhibition space. The building will be energy efficient and will exhibit in its own construction the possibilities of sustainability. Telus World of Science continues to be one of Vancouver’s best educational tourist attractions with 550,000 visitors last year. It inspires inventiveness, curiosity and creativity in the fields of science and technology.

On May 6, Telus World of Science will host: Expo ’86 Quarter Century Look-back Party.
The adults-only evening will feature 80’s music, Expo ’86 films, archival footage and artwork.