Science World has begun a $35-million renovation to showcase B.C. technology and innovation, making the space-age geodesic dome the third False Creek landmark to undergo a facelift in either name or design this summer.

Bryan Tisdall, President and CEO of Science World at Telus World of Science, as the non-profit organization is formally known, said the option of relocating out of downtown to a more affordable, suburban location in custom-built quarters was quickly dismissed.

With its skyline image emblazoned on the city's identity, the iconic dome on Vancouver's waterfront was too special a property to walk away from. Instead, the aging building will get a multimillion-dollar facelift, retrofit and expansion.

Tisdall said the $35-million bill presented a slight shock. But the cost is worth it, he said. "We aren't in it to build a building, we are in it to pursue a mission."

That mission is to light a spark in the minds of children, youth and even adults, he said.

"As much as we love to put the glint in the eye and smile on the face of our visitors, science and technology are essential to the long-term prosperity of the province," Tisdall said.

"Part of that is to inspire inventiveness, curiosity and creativity in young adults and children, some of it is to impact adults in their professions and future job opportunities so they will support policies, programs and [political] parties that are supportive of science and technology."

Built in 1986 for Expo '86 and expanded two years later before science and technology education became the building's primary purpose in 1989, the structure's renovation is funded by $10.5 million grants from federal and provincial governments with $10 million raised so far from donors.

Renovations began in the spring and must be completed by the end of March next year. It's the stipulation demanded from Ottawa in exchange for economic stimulus dollars.

In addition to $26 million invested in building structure, operating systems and the exterior, which Tisdall said is essentially porous from age and wear, Science World will add 15,000 square feet to its current 75,000-square-foot exhibit space, revamp the entrance and add a roof-top deck. Northwest-facing floor-to-ceiling windows will remind visitors of their location on False Creek and will add to the building's efficient use of energy.

The world around the dome will be explored in new ways, said Tisdall, who listed learning possibilities such as ocean turbidity, tides, herring, water floes and bird life.

From the science of sea to sky, Science World itself will become an exhibit and, Tisdall hopes, a conversation starter. On-site displays will demonstrate home-grown B.C. advances in design and technology and will also expose the science and innovation required to construct an energy-efficient building, strategies to conserve and repurpose energy, and equipment used to generate energy like solar and wind power.

"What we would like to do for sustainability is what the blue box has done for recycling--it made it understandable and doable," said Tisdall. "This will focus on individual action and behaviour and identify things that you or I can do to make a difference."

Last year more than 550,000 people visited Science World and 220,000 more were reached through education programs around the province.

mstewart@vancourier.com