Queen Elizabeth II Planetarium

The Queen Elizabeth II Planetarium is a planetarium located in Coronation Park in Edmonton, Alberta. Designed by Walter Tefler and R. F. Duke, and operating between 1960 and 1983, it was the first planetarium in Canada.

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.

The Queen Elizabeth II Planetarium closed at the end of 1983.

Current status

Since closing the Planetarium has remained vacant. The City is currently looking for a new tenant to revive the building.

References

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