Did you know: The Cinesphere was originally supposed to be a dome projection?
< on 11/24/2022 4:36 PM >
The Cinesphere, the first permanent IMAX theatre in the world, was built at Ontario Place in 1971. After the invention of IMAX by Graeme Ferguson and others, the first IMAX film was shown at Expo '70 in Japan. After the success of the IMAX format, Graeme Ferguson convinced Eb Zeidler to turn his original concept of a dome cinema, with a central projection booth, into an IMAX cinema.
The projector from Expo '70 was moved to Toronto and installed in the Cinesphere. However, in this archival photo you can see the original projection booth for the Cinesphere was indeed in the center of the space. You can also see the newer projection room at the top of the theatre where the IMAX projector would go.
Could it be that after all these years, there is still evidence to be seen inside the building of the original projection room?
Let's take a look down into the basement...
Wow, it looks like these welding power supplies is what is used to power the incredibly bright IMAX bulb.
Lots of old IMAX films being stored down here, not in the greatest of conditions.
Looks like we've found the film storage room -- and wow, look at those titles.
Wait a second -- the ceiling here is made of drywall, instead of concrete. Could this be what we are looking for?
Let's take a look through that little hatch.
Wow, look at that! It's the original projection room, now covered over with seats. So it wasn't a lie!
I bet if you go to exactly this spot in the floor above and bang your feet, you'll hear the soft echo of wood, instead of the unmoving silence of concrete.
And thus, another piece of Ontario Place history is confirmed.
The projector from Expo '70 was moved to Toronto and installed in the Cinesphere. However, in this archival photo you can see the original projection booth for the Cinesphere was indeed in the center of the space. You can also see the newer projection room at the top of the theatre where the IMAX projector would go.

Could it be that after all these years, there is still evidence to be seen inside the building of the original projection room?
Let's take a look down into the basement...

Wow, it looks like these welding power supplies is what is used to power the incredibly bright IMAX bulb.


Lots of old IMAX films being stored down here, not in the greatest of conditions.

Looks like we've found the film storage room -- and wow, look at those titles.




Wait a second -- the ceiling here is made of drywall, instead of concrete. Could this be what we are looking for?
Let's take a look through that little hatch.

Wow, look at that! It's the original projection room, now covered over with seats. So it wasn't a lie!




I bet if you go to exactly this spot in the floor above and bang your feet, you'll hear the soft echo of wood, instead of the unmoving silence of concrete.
And thus, another piece of Ontario Place history is confirmed.