Cinesphere

Cinesphere is a landmark cinema and architectural feature of Ontario Place in Toronto, Ontario. Opened in 1971, it is recognized as the world's first permanent IMAX movie theatre and remains one of Canada's most distinctive large-format cinema venues. The building was designed by architect Eberhard Zeidler, who also designed Ontario Place's Pods, and takes the form of a 35-metre-wide triodetic dome supported by prefabricated steel and aluminium-alloy tubes. The dome is surrounded by a moat and connected to Ontario Place by bridges, stairs and ramps, making the building both a functioning theatre and a prominent piece of the site's exhibition architecture. The theatre was created for the original Ontario Place theme-park experience. At opening, Cinesphere presented Graeme Ferguson's North of Superior, the first IMAX film commissioned for and screened at the venue, together with Seasons in the Mind, a non-IMAX film about Eastern Ontario. During Ontario Place's operating season, the programme generally consisted of several short films shown repeatedly throughout the day. The venue also screened commercial films during the off-season. This combination of commissioned regional filmmaking, large-format presentation and an unusual architectural setting established Cinesphere as more than a conventional multiplex: it functioned as a showcase for Ontario, a tourist attraction and a technology demonstration site. The auditorium originally accommodated 752 people. Following renovation work associated with the introduction of 3D presentation in 2011, capacity was reduced to 614 seats. The auditorium uses unobstructed stadium-style seating and has wheelchair-accessible facilities. Its screen measures approximately 24 metres wide by 18 metres high. Cinesphere supports 15-perforation 70 mm IMAX film projection and IMAX with Laser, allowing it to present both classic large-format film prints and newer digital laser releases. Technology upgrades have been central to the venue's development. A digital-capable sound system was installed in 1991. In 2011, the original projection equipment was replaced with an IMAX GT 3D system and a NEXIOS playback system as part of extensive refurbishment for the theatre's fortieth anniversary. The renovation was designed by Toronto firm Gow Hastings Architects. During later work at Ontario Place, Cinesphere also served as a testbed for IMAX's laser-projection technology. An IMAX with Laser system was installed in 2017 alongside the 70 mm projector. Cinesphere's operating history has been shaped by changes to Ontario Place. In 2012, the Government of Ontario announced that the theatre would close while the site underwent renovation. A 2014 revitalization plan proposed retaining Cinesphere and the Pods as part of an urban-park redevelopment. The province designated the structure as having cultural heritage value in 2014. Cinesphere returned for special screenings during the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival, including Dunkirk and North of Superior, and reopened as a permanent theatre on November 3 of that year. It closed again for renovations on October 17, 2022. The Government of Ontario owns the Ontario Place site and therefore owns Cinesphere. Publicly available reference material does not establish a current operating schedule or a separate corporate operating company.

Cinesphere was developed as the signature cinema of Ontario Place, a major waterfront attraction in Toronto. It opened in 1971 as the world's first permanent IMAX theatre, establishing a venue model that combined a purpose-built large-format cinema with a distinctive architectural environment. Architect Eberhard Zeidler designed the building as a triodetic dome, related in visual language to the geodesic-dome tradition but constructed from prefabricated steel and aluminium-alloy tubes. The 35-metre-wide structure sits within a moat and is linked to the Ontario Place site by pedestrian bridges and ramps. The venue opened with two specially commissioned or selected films. North of Superior, directed by Graeme Ferguson, was the first IMAX film commissioned for and shown at Cinesphere. Seasons in the Mind, a non-IMAX film focused on Eastern Ontario, was also part of the opening programme. During the years when Ontario Place operated as a theme park, Cinesphere commonly screened a rotating programme of short films several times each day. Many of these films were commissioned by Ontario and presented the province's landscapes and communities to visitors. Commercial films were more common during the off-season. Cinesphere's technical infrastructure evolved as presentation standards changed. Its sound system received a digital-capable upgrade in 1991. For the theatre's fortieth anniversary, it underwent a major refurbishment in 2011, with Gow Hastings Architects selected for the architectural work. The original projection equipment was replaced by an IMAX GT 3D system and a NEXIOS playback system. The renovation also changed the auditorium, reducing seating from the original 752 places to 614. The theatre's later history has been closely tied to government decisions concerning Ontario Place. In February 2012, the Government of Ontario announced that Cinesphere would close during the redevelopment of the site. In 2014, the province presented a revitalization concept based on an urban park and confirmed that Cinesphere and the Pods would be retained. The same year, Cinesphere received recognition as a structure of cultural heritage value. During the redevelopment period, the building was used as a test location for IMAX's laser-projection technology. In 2017, Cinesphere gained an IMAX with Laser system while retaining its 70 mm film projector. It briefly returned to public programming during the Toronto International Film Festival in September, presenting Dunkirk and North of Superior. The venue then reopened as a permanent theatre on November 3, 2017. This reopening reinforced its dual identity as a working cinema and a heritage attraction capable of presenting both contemporary digital releases and archival 70 mm IMAX material. Cinesphere closed again for renovations on October 17, 2022. The available reference material does not specify a subsequent reopening date, current operator or current programme.

• 2022

  Renovation closure

  [1]Cinesphereen.wikipedia.org

  Cinesphere closes on October 17 for renovations.

• 2017

  IMAX with Laser installation

  [1]Cinesphereen.wikipedia.org

  A new IMAX with Laser projection system is installed alongside the existing 70 mm film projector.

• 2017

  Permanent reopening

  [1]Cinesphereen.wikipedia.org

  After festival programming in September, Cinesphere reopens as a permanent theatre on November 3.

• 2014

  Heritage recognition and retention plan

  [1]Cinesphereen.wikipedia.org

  Ontario announces a revitalization concept retaining Cinesphere and the Pods, and designates the theatre as a structure of cultural heritage value.

• 2012

  Closure announced during Ontario Place redevelopment

  [1]Cinesphereen.wikipedia.org

  The Government of Ontario announces that Cinesphere will close while Ontario Place is renovated.

• 2011

  Fortieth-anniversary renovation

  [1]Cinesphereen.wikipedia.org

  A six-month renovation introduces an IMAX GT 3D projection system and NEXIOS playback equipment; seating capacity is reduced to 614.

• 2010

  Refurbishment architect appointed

  [1]Cinesphereen.wikipedia.org

  Toronto architecture firm Gow Hastings Architects is awarded the Cinesphere refurbishment project.

• 1991

  Digital-capable sound upgrade

  [1]Cinesphereen.wikipedia.org

  The theatre's sound system is upgraded to add digital capabilities.

• 1971

  Cinesphere opens at Ontario Place

  [1]Cinesphereen.wikipedia.org

  Cinesphere opens as the world's first permanent IMAX movie theatre, with North of Superior and Seasons in the Mind among its opening films.

A heritage large-format cinema and architectural landmark positioned around IMAX presentation, immersive film technology, Ontario Place tourism and special-event programming.

• Large-format film exhibition · 1971

  IMAX 70 mm presentations

  Cinesphere retains a 15-perforation 70 mm IMAX film projector, enabling exhibition of photochemical large-format prints. This capability links the present-day venue to the original IMAX presentation standard and supports repertory, archival and event screenings where a physical 70 mm print is available.

• Digital large-format exhibition · 2017

  IMAX with Laser

  Installed in 2017, IMAX with Laser added a contemporary digital projection option to Cinesphere while the theatre continued to support 70 mm film. The system was part of the venue's technology-focused role and allowed it to present newer digital IMAX releases and special-event programming.

• 3D cinema presentation · 2011

  IMAX GT 3D

  The IMAX GT 3D system installed during the 2011 anniversary renovation replaced the theatre's original projection equipment. It expanded Cinesphere's ability to present stereoscopic large-format films and was paired with a NEXIOS playback system.

• Cinema programming

  Special-event screenings

  In addition to regular film programmes, Cinesphere has hosted special screenings connected with film festivals, heritage programming and notable large-format titles. Its 2017 Toronto International Film Festival presentations included Dunkirk and North of Superior, demonstrating the venue's role as both a commercial cinema and a cultural-event space.

• 2022

  Further renovation closureStrategy

  Background

  The theatre required additional renovation work after its 2017 reopening.

  Action taken

  Cinesphere closed on October 17, 2022.

  Aftermath

  The available reference material does not establish the subsequent reopening date or current operating status.

  Source

• 2017

  Introduction of IMAX with LaserProduct launch

  Background

  During Ontario Place renovations, Cinesphere was used as a testbed for IMAX laser projection technology.

  Action taken

  An IMAX with Laser projection system was installed while the 70 mm projector was retained.

  Aftermath

  The venue reopened with the ability to present both contemporary digital IMAX content and 70 mm film presentations.

  Source

• 2012

  Closure during Ontario Place redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  The Government of Ontario began planning changes to the Ontario Place site and announced that Cinesphere would close during renovation.

  Action taken

  Cinesphere was taken out of regular operation while the wider site redevelopment proceeded.

  Aftermath

  A later 2014 revitalization plan retained the theatre and the Pods, allowing Cinesphere to return to public programming in 2017.

  Source

• 2011

  Upgrade to IMAX GT 3D presentationGeneration change

  Background

  For its fortieth anniversary, Cinesphere underwent extensive renovation and required replacement of its original projection infrastructure.

  Action taken

  The theatre installed an IMAX GT 3D system and NEXIOS playback equipment, while reducing auditorium capacity from 752 to 614 seats.

  Aftermath

  The work modernized the venue for 3D and digital-era presentation while preserving its large-format cinema identity.

  Source

1. 1Cinesphereen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Cinesphere official siteontarioplace.com