🌊 Saskatoon Water Discovery Centre: Vision, Experience & Future Programs

Where Water, Science, and Imagination Come Together

Surrounded by the gentle flow of the South Saskatchewan River and inspired by the beauty of lakes and natural wetlands across our province, the Saskatoon Water Discovery Centre (SWDC) will become one of Saskatchewan’s most innovative destinations for learning, family adventure, and environmental awareness.

Designed as a unique blend of aquarium, science centre, and interactive museum, SWDC will bring together the best elements of hands-on learning, immersive exhibits, natural history education, and family-friendly exploration. It will be a gathering place where children, adults, tourists, teachers, and science enthusiasts step into a world shaped entirely by the wonder of water.

Our Vision: A New Kind of Museum for Saskatchewan

The Saskatoon Water Discovery Centre is built on one powerful idea: when people understand water, they understand life.

As Saskatchewan’s newest museum and educational attraction, SWDC will create a space where visitors don't just look at information — they experience it.

Through carefully crafted storytelling, science-based exhibits, Indigenous knowledge, and hands-on experiences, the centre will highlight:

• the beauty of our lakes and rivers

• freshwater ecosystems unique to Saskatchewan

• the history and science of water

• the challenges and responsibilities of protecting this essential resource

Visitors will explore a space that blends the emotional impact of an art gallery with the excitement of a science museum and the playfulness of a family attraction.

Immersive & Interactive Exhibits

At the heart of the facility will be a series of immersive exhibits that bring water to life. Each section will be built to push the boundaries of what an interactive learning space can be.

The Freshwater Aquarium Gallery

A living display of fish and plants found in prairie lakes and rivers. This gallery serves as our signature “aquarium” experience — celebrating the biodiversity of Canadian freshwater ecosystems.

The Water Cycle Lab

A hands-on learning zone where visitors participate in interactive exhibits showing evaporation, condensation (fog, clouds, mist), precipitation, and groundwater movement.

Prairie Winters & Water

An immersive “winter exhibit” exploring how ice forms, how snow shapes ecosystems, and why frozen lakes are vital habitats.

Drops, Bubbles & Waves

A sensory room with magnified bubbles, wave simulators, touch tables, and visual installations inspired by the physics of water.

Art & Water Gallery

Blending science with creativity, this space will host rotating displays, photography, sculptures, digital installations, and community art focused on one theme: water’s beauty.

Natural History of Water Exhibit

Explore Earth’s early oceans, ancient rivers, fossils, mineral formations, and the ongoing evolution of water systems across the prairies.

Every exhibit is built as an interactive museum experience: hands-on, multi-sensory, and engaging for all ages.

A Family Attraction That Brings People Together

The Saskatoon Water Discovery Centre will be one of Saskatchewan’s leading family attractions — and designed intentionally for children, parents, and grandparents visiting together.

Families will enjoy:

• hands-on exploration zones

• water play tables

• live demonstrations

• interactive kiosks

• digital storytelling rooms

• scavenger hunts

• “find the embossers” challenges

• child-friendly exhibits at eye level

• birthday party rooms

• gift shop with educational toys and local artisan products

SWDC will be a place where families spend hours learning, exploring, and discovering.

A Major Tourist Attraction for Saskatoon

SWDC will proudly become one of Saskatoon’s must-see tourist attractions. Whether visitors are here for the weekend or planning a longer trip, our centre will be a signature destination for:

• tourists exploring Saskatchewan

• science lovers

• photographers

• families on vacation

• eco-conscious travelers

• groups searching for educational indoor activities

As a tourist attraction, SWDC will also boost local businesses through partnerships, special events, and community-led programming.

For Schools, Teachers & Educators

The Saskatoon Water Discovery Centre will soon become the most meaningful educational attraction in the province. Our school programming will align closely with Saskatchewan’s curriculum, especially in:

• science

• geography

• biology

• earth sciences

• climate & environment

• Indigenous education

Educators will benefit from:

• structured field trips

• guided tours with trained interpreters

• teacher resource packages

• pre-visit and post-visit lesson plans

• virtual programs for remote classrooms

• professional development workshops

The centre will take the pressure off teachers by providing high-quality, ready-to-use learning experiences.

Programs for Kids & Youth

Children are at the heart of SWDC’s mission.We will offer programs that spark curiosity, creativity, and emotional connection to water.

Kids Activities

• “Mini Scientists” workshops

• Water Play Lab

• Art & Science of Bubbles

• Junior Water Guardians Program

Summer Camps

Week-long and day camps blending:

• outdoor exploration

• hands-on learning

• crafts

• science experiments

• art activities

• nature walks

Live Demonstrations

Daily and seasonal performances including:

• cloud-making

• water vortexes

• microscopic water life

• wave physics

• filtration demonstrations

After-School Programs

A safe and inspiring environment where children learn through science and creativity.

Hands-On Learning at Every Corner

The Saskatoon Water Discovery Centre embraces the philosophy that learning is most powerful when it is interactive.Visitors will learn through:

• touching water exhibits

• participating in simple experiments

• observing water organisms

• testing environmental tools

• exploring natural history displays

• experiencing real-world demonstrations

Our centre is a full hands-on learning environment — built for curious minds of all ages.

Guided Tours, Community Partnerships & Research

SWDC will collaborate with:

• environmental groups

• water-quality researchers

• universities

• Indigenous Elders and knowledge keepers

• local artists

• tourism organizations

• schools

• youth programs

• sponsors and corporate partners

Through guided tours, public talks, and collaborative exhibitions, the centre will serve as a bridge between science, community, and cultural heritage.

Beyond the Walls: Outreach & Public Engagement

In addition to the physical space, SWDC will grow into a community-driven organization that reaches beyond its borders through:

• mobile science kits

• pop-up water exhibits

• presentations at community events

• partnerships with libraries and schools

• public science festivals

• environmental clean-ups

• citizen science projects

This outreach will ensure the centre impacts not only visitors, but the wider community.

A New Era for Learning & Discovery in Saskatchewan

The Saskatoon Water Discovery Centre will become a place where fun, science, creativity, and environmental responsibility meet. It will stand proudly as:

• a science centre,

• an aquarium,

• a museum,

• an art gallery,

• a learning hub,

• a family attraction,

• and a tourist attraction — all in one.

But above all, SWDC will be a home for connection: a place where visitors rediscover their own relationship with water — and with the natural world that sustains us all.

Be Part of the Journey

As we continue building, planning programs, and forming partnerships, we welcome families, educators, scientists, artists, and supporters to help shape the future of the Saskatoon Water Discovery Centre.

Together, we can create a vibrant, inspiring space that will educate and uplift generations.