An agency of the Government of Ontario 2014-15 Business Plan FINAL (February 3, 2015) Contents Page Executive Summary 3 Appendices Mandate and Vision 6 Strategic Directions 7 Appendix A: Environmental Scan 9 Board and Committee Organizational Chart Review of 2013-14 – Strategic Priorities and Goals 17 Strategic Priority #1 17 Appendix B: Staff Organizational Chart Strategic Priority #2 22 Strategic Priority #3 28 Appendix C: Review of 2013-14 – Operational Performance 32 Business Plan Financials Review of 2013-14 – Capital Activities 35 Operating Forecast (through 2018-19) Current and Forthcoming Plans 2014-15 – Strategic Priorities and Goals 36 Previous Year Variance Strategic Priority #1 36 Attendance Forecast (through 2016-17) Strategic Priority #2 43 Proposed Transfer Payment Cash Flow Strategic Priority #3 50 Reserve Funds Current and Forthcoming Plans 2014-15 – Operational Performance 55 Appendix D: Current and Forthcoming Plans 2014-15 – Capital Activities 58 Asset Management Plan Contingency Plan 59 Cash Flow 60 Appendix E: Resources Needed to Meet Priorities and Goals 60 Risk Assessment Staffing Summary 62 Balance Sheet 63 Restricted Funds 63 Communications Plan – 2014-2015 64 Five-Year Operating Financial Forecast – 2014 to 2019 68 Three-Year Capital Forecast – 2014 to 2017 69 Information Technology (IT)/Electronic Service Delivery (ESD) Plan 74 Science North is an agency of the Government of Ontario. IMAX® is a registered trademark of IMAX Corporation. Initiatives Involving Third Parties 76 2 Executive Summary In March 2014 Science North will complete Science North has continued to focus on the first year of its 2013-18 Strategic Plan, a offering great science experiences to all solid plan developed with extensive input of Northern Ontario, whether through from internal and external stakeholders. outreach programs, at our attractions based The organization is strongly focused on the in Sudbury, or online. Accomplishments over achievement of Science North’s new Vision, the course of this year are creating a strong Purpose, three Strategic Priorities and related foundation for Science North in broadening goals. its audience base and expanding its reach in Northern Ontario. In keeping with our new Strategic Plan, Science North’s business plan has a strong The Science of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!®, focus on delivering top-notch science Science North’s 8th travelling exhibition, was experiences, great customer service, and launched March 2013. The exhibition ran both attendance and revenue projections building a sustainable change culture and at Science North from Mar. 3-Sept. 3 with 31,280 visitors attending from financial stability. Our long-term Vision is performing very well with 78,300 visitors Apr. 1-Sept. 3 compared to the target of to be the leader among science centres in attending between Apr. 1-Sept. 3, 5% above 29,324, a 6% increase over the attendance providing inspirational, educational and our target of 74,300 visitors. In Fall 2013 the target set for that period. entertaining science experiences. Our exhibit began its North American tour. To date 2013-14 membership sales and Purpose, what motivates our workforce attendance are up over last year while day-to-day, is to inspire people of all ages to Science North has made good progress in building new audiences, including a general paid visitation to all attractions on be engaged with the science in the world the Science North site is down, most notably around them. significant following for its Nightlife on the Rocks series of adult-only evening events in in the schools market. This business plan provides an overview of the science centre, often staged with a feature Science North’s next travelling exhibition is the Centre’s projections to the end of the science theme. The centre has built consistent currently being developed in partnership with 2013-14 fiscal year, as well as planned success this year with a Ripley’s Unbelievable the Canadian Museum of Nature. The Arctic activities for the 2014-15 fiscal year. Science Science theme and a Nightlife on the Rocks Voices exhibition will open March 2014 and North also conducted comprehensive internal event at Dynamic Earth. To date these will focus on the science of the Arctic region and external environmental scans that have Nightlife events have surpassed attendance and the impacts of climate change. Arctic been used to inform our business planning goals. Science North continues to focus on Voices will be paired with Science North’s and those are included in this business plan. developing new and relevant science newest large format (IMAX®) film Wonders experiences to grow current and new 2013-14 Review and Highlights of the Arctic, currently in production, with a audiences as part of our Strategic Plan. world premiere opening at Science North in Some of the highlights of 2013-14 include The special exhibition Dinosaurs Unearthed: March 2014. the following: Secrets Revealed at Dynamic Earth exceeded In fulfilling our mandate to serve all of 3 Northern Ontario, Science North staff our service and delivery of product, and 45% Health Sciences North. This is part of Science continue to deliver ever expanding, high of our travelling exhibit clients have leased North’s investment to address its succession quality, hands-on experiences through two or more of our exhibits. planning risk, and also to play a leadership summer science camps, in schools, at public role in helping the community address events, and in First Nations communities. As part of the Centre’s strategic priority of succession planning and develop leaders 2013 was a record year for Science North’s financial stability, Science North continues who have key relationships in the North. week-long summer science camps for youth to focus on philanthropy and increasing ages 4 to 14, with 2,052 participants in 26 grant revenue from sources other than the On the financial front, since submitting the Northern Ontario communities. Science Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. 2014-15 Executive Forecast in September North projects its outreach staff will reach During 2013-14 Science North’s annual 2013 Science North has reduced its projected deficit for the 2013-14 fiscal year. The Centre close to 17,000 students in schools across fundraising gala raised $60,000 and now projects it will end the fiscal year with Northern Ontario in 2013-14. By the end of exceeded budget expectations by 20%. The a deficit of $153,760. The areas of most this fiscal year, Science North projects it will Centre expects to achieve its fundraising significant financial challenge in 2013-14 meet its target of visiting 55 Northern Ontario and sponsorship targets for the year. With have been Science North’s external sales communities. We expect to exceed our target respect to government grants, Science North business and its attractions revenue. of delivering outreach programs to 250 First hired a Senior Manager of Grant Programs - Science North’s external sales (specifically Nations students. in June 2013. This full-time resource is dedicated to increasing our relationship and in travelling exhibits) have seen very slow On the customer service front, a significant visibility with key granting agencies, and growth when it was expected to pick up highlight of summer 2013 was that visitors generating grant revenue for both operating this year given the economic scan done to Science North and Dynamic Earth were and capital priorities. Some early successes last year. Further impacting this business extremely satisfied with their overall have been achieved including a $250,000 were unexpected additional costs incurred experience. Surveys showed an overall City of Greater Sudbury commitment to- to deliver two very difficult and technical visitor satisfaction for both sites at 95%, wards the renewal of Dynamic Earth. projects. which is a continued increase over the past couple of years. On the people front, Science North continues to communicate a “change ready culture” Science North’s external sales business and behavioural model in its people, leader- has had slow growth in 2013-14. However, ship and service environments. An innova- the Asia Market Development Project in tive, change ready workforce is at the heart of partnership with the Ontario Science Centre Science North’s continued success. supported by the Ministry is having positive results. Science North has also increased In March 2013, Science North launched the the number of projects in which it has innovative Northern Leadership Project. This collaborated with partners, including private one-year pilot project, spearheaded by Science corporations and other government agencies. North, focuses on accelerated leadership Our surveys show 100% of Science North development in partnership with the City of external sales clients are very satisfied with Greater Sudbury, Laurentian University, and 4 - Science North’s overall attractions revenue Strategic Priority 2: A Customer Focused Culture of Operational Excellence was impacted due to less than anticipated Goals: general paid visitors, which then impacted • Build a change ready culture the Centre’s onsite food and retail • Ensure world-class facilities and fully operational experiences businesses. • Optimize processes, systems and technology to maximize Return on Investment (ROI) However it is important to note that although • Practice environmental responsibility results were below targets, both the external sales and food/retail businesses contribute Strategic Priority 3: Long Term Financial Stability significant profit to the Centre. Goals: • Grow and diversify our external sales revenue Looking Ahead – 2014-15 • Grow philanthropic revenue streams and Beyond • Increase and maximize grant revenue • Explore and maximize all other potential revenue streams As Science North moves forward with its 2013-18 Strategic Plan, there is a continued A high level overview of 2014-15 actions aligning with Science North’s strategic priorities emphasis on great science experiences that and goals is outlined in the Strategic Directions section of this business plan.