Discovery Centre Site Strategy Development (Opportunity Study)

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Consultation has concluded

Project Update

The City of Hamilton has identified the Hamilton Public Library (HPL) as the City’s partner in setting a new vision for the Discovery Centre. The HPL is leading a Study to transform the Discovery Centre into a new cultural space.

Share what you like about the concept, any questions or considerations. Visit hpl.ca/discovery-centre


The City of Hamilton has begun work to develop a strategy for the Hamilton Waterfront Trust Centre (former Canadian Marine Discovery Centre museum) property and adjacent lands. The strategy for these lands will:

  • Define a vision for the site; and
  • Define set of actions to implement the vision.

Although these lands are situated in a strategic location within the West Harbour, the former museum building is underutilized. This is the result of several factors including the closure of the museum and subsequent change in property ownership from federal to municipal government, and constraints of applicable zoning by-law regulations in attracting new uses. The changed property ownership and planning context, property use constraints, along with the passage of time since the policy and zoning regulations were originally established, provides an opportunity to re-examine options for the use of the Subject Lands.

Council has directed staff to commence the process to develop a long term strategy for the Subject Lands and has initiated an Opportunity Study.

What lands are part of the study area?

The site is generally located on Pier 8 (West Harbour) consisting of the Hamilton Waterfront Trust Centre (former Canadian Discovery Centre Museum) and adjacent lands, known municipally as 77 Harbourside Way (formerly 57 Discovery Drive).

Specifically, the study subject lands are comprised of:

  • the Hamilton Waterfront Trust Centre (former Canadian Marine Discovery Centre building);
  • outdoor patio area located to the north of the building;
  • landscaped area located to the east of the building;
  • parking area located to the south of the building (Note: mapping has not been updated to reflect recent changes to the parking lot configuration);
  • outdoor rink and surrounding park area; and
  • existing restaurant (Williams Café).

Note: Lands excluded from the study area are the park promenade lands and lands subject to the City’s development agreement with Waterfront Shores which are generally located to the east of the subject lands.


Project Update

The City of Hamilton has identified the Hamilton Public Library (HPL) as the City’s partner in setting a new vision for the Discovery Centre. The HPL is leading a Study to transform the Discovery Centre into a new cultural space.

Share what you like about the concept, any questions or considerations. Visit hpl.ca/discovery-centre


The City of Hamilton has begun work to develop a strategy for the Hamilton Waterfront Trust Centre (former Canadian Marine Discovery Centre museum) property and adjacent lands. The strategy for these lands will:

  • Define a vision for the site; and
  • Define set of actions to implement the vision.

Although these lands are situated in a strategic location within the West Harbour, the former museum building is underutilized. This is the result of several factors including the closure of the museum and subsequent change in property ownership from federal to municipal government, and constraints of applicable zoning by-law regulations in attracting new uses. The changed property ownership and planning context, property use constraints, along with the passage of time since the policy and zoning regulations were originally established, provides an opportunity to re-examine options for the use of the Subject Lands.

Council has directed staff to commence the process to develop a long term strategy for the Subject Lands and has initiated an Opportunity Study.

What lands are part of the study area?

The site is generally located on Pier 8 (West Harbour) consisting of the Hamilton Waterfront Trust Centre (former Canadian Discovery Centre Museum) and adjacent lands, known municipally as 77 Harbourside Way (formerly 57 Discovery Drive).

Specifically, the study subject lands are comprised of:

  • the Hamilton Waterfront Trust Centre (former Canadian Marine Discovery Centre building);
  • outdoor patio area located to the north of the building;
  • landscaped area located to the east of the building;
  • parking area located to the south of the building (Note: mapping has not been updated to reflect recent changes to the parking lot configuration);
  • outdoor rink and surrounding park area; and
  • existing restaurant (Williams Café).

Note: Lands excluded from the study area are the park promenade lands and lands subject to the City’s development agreement with Waterfront Shores which are generally located to the east of the subject lands.


Consultation has concluded

The City would like to hear and understand resident and stakeholder opinions on various opportunities and issues to be considered as part of the Discovery Centre Opportunity Study.

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    Why is community survey closed when It states it’s available until Oct 3? Date today is Aug 22

    asked 7 months ago

    Please revisit the website and read the "Preliminary Option Feedback" Tab. You will see two questions with open text boxes where you can enter your feedback about the concept. The deadline for feedback is September 13, 2023.

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    Why has this survey closed This morning is the first I have heard of the survey via North End Neighborhood association . I participated in the Sous Bay events and hope that this space will continue to be used for younger communities gathering , what a great venue for music, good and dance.

    Rebecca Kelly asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for your question. The Community Survey was opened on August 8 and promoted through various means such as: City social media channels; email notice to West Harbour email subscribers; posters and ground signs on the site; and, survey invitation cards distributed at Williams Fresh Café. Previous communications from the City indicated that the survey was scheduled to close on September 23, 2022, however has been extended to October 3. To receive future updates, please join the West Harbour Mailing List.

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    Why are there no recycle bins and compost bins down here. That should be addressed at some time.

    Catie asked over 1 year ago

    Parks staff has tried to separate waste and recycling into separate streams in the past, and through all our trials, the contamination in the recycling has been so great that all the bins have sadly had to go to waste. We have tried different types of bins and with signage and pairing bins. We are continuing trials at sports parks where there is a high number of water bottles to see if we can get more compliance in those locations and at some city wide parks like Bayfront but we’ve still found that the contamination continues. 

    We are working with our partners in the waste section to increase education and try to change behaviours; until behaviours change we can not move forward with recycling bins in all our other parks only to have to send it all to waste. A survey of other municipalities has shown that they too are struggling with contamination rates.