Thanks to a Harry Potter exhibit and other programs, the Ontario Science Centre had more than 330,000 visits during July and August, marking a 13 per cent increase in attendance over the same time last year.
The 330,605 visitors to the Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue site made it the busiest summer attendance wise in 11 years.At 948,140 visitors this year, attendance is up 112,290 and is quickly approaching the one million visitor mark. The Ontario Science Centre attributes the high volume in part to the popular Harry Potter: The Exhibition, as well as programs including The Science of Flight, Spellbinding Science and OwlFest. Harry Potter: The Exhibition wraps up Monday, Sept. 6. Due to popular demand, exhibit hours will be extended to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3 and Saturday, Sept. 4. Three new exhibits are coming to the centre, beginning with Mythic Creatures: Unicorns, Dragons and Mermaids, which will open Oct. 9. Whales/Tohorã from Te Papa Tongarewa will follow Nov. 4 and Nature Unleashed will be on display Feb. 11, 2011.