Queen Elizabeth Planetarium

Queen Elizabeth Planetarium
Planetarium

The planetarium in 1961
Design: Walter Tefler and R. F. Duke
Opening date: 22 September 1960
Dedicated to: Elizabeth II
Owner: City of Edmonton
Location: Coronation Park
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Queen Elizabeth Planetarium

Location in Edmonton

Coordinates: 53°33′36″N 113°33′50″W / 53.5601°N 113.5639°W / 53.5601; -113.5639
The Queen Elizabeth Planetarium in October 2016. The building is surrounded by a wire fence due to its dilapidation.

The Queen Elizabeth Planetarium or Queen Elizabeth II Planetarium is a former planetarium located in Coronation Park in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It was the first planetarium in Canada, operating between 1960 and 1983. Designed by Walter Tefler and R. F. Duke, it was named to commemorate the visit of Elizabeth II in 1959.

History

The building of a planetarium was proposed in November 1958 by S. Frank Page as a monument to the upcoming visit of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in July 1959. This was an alternative to a suggestion put forth by Alderman Frederick John Mitchell to build an observatory, which Page anticipated would be interfered with by city lights. The project proposal was supported by City Council in December 1959 and passed the Financial Committee in March 1959. In July of that year the Queen visited the site during her tour.

The planetarium opened on 22 September 1960. The building was opened by Mayor Elmer Ernest Roper and a fragment from the Bruderheim meteorite fall was presented to the facility by James Harrington, a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The first director was Ian McLennan. [1]

The planetarium was hampered by a seating capacity of only 65. It closed at the end of 1983 and was superseded by the adjacent Telus World of Science.[2]

Current status

Since closing the Planetarium has remained vacant, falling into a poor state of repair. In November 2016, the city announced plans to restore the planetarium and grant it full heritage status.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Gibbins, Howard. "Queen Elizabeth II Planetarium History". Queen Elizabeth II Planetarium Online. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  2. ↑ Simons, Paula (11 March 2015). "Landmark planetarium needs new mission to live long and prosper". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  3. ↑ Simons, Paula (27 October 2016). "Restoring the Queen Elizabeth II Planetarium, the jewel in the crown of Coronation Park". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
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