The Carnegie Science Center plans to expand by 80,000 square feet, build a new home for its popular SportsWorks exhibition and create an outdoor "eco park" under an ambitious 10-year master plan.

During a briefing before city planners yesterday, science center officials said they even hope to make a new parking lot an educational tool. It is expected to feature a semi-permeable surface for water drainage that would provide an opportunity to teach visitors about storm water management.

"All of that is an opportunity for learning. From the time you get there until the time you go home, there are learning experiences all along the way, even in the parking lot," said Ann M. Metzger, the science center's acting co-director.

The science center also is planning a new 10,000 square-foot reception center for visitors, one that eventually would connect its main exhibit space with the SportsWorks building, an expanded riverview cafe and a new riverfront park.

About the only thing that won't be growing is parking, which is actually scheduled to shrink from its existing 709 spaces to 490 over the next 10 years. Science center officials don't see that as a problem, saying there is an overabundance of parking on most days.

When there is an overflow, a west lot that typically will be reserved for buses can accommodate up to 150 vehicles or patrons can use the lots next to Heinz Field. The center also hopes to work out an arrangement with the new casino next-door for more parking if necessary.

No cost estimate has been established for the full build-out, which would be developed over four phases running until 2018. The new SportsWorks complex, which will feature a 25-foot-tall window wall, is expected to cost $5 million.

SportsWorks, which opened in 2001 in the former Miller Printing Co. building near the science center, closed last month to make way for a Port Authority light rail stop as part of the LRT extension to the North Shore.

Under the first phase of the master plan, the Miller building will be demolished, about 225 parking spaces for the science center will be added at the site, called the North lot, and the new SportsWorks complex will be built, with an expected opening next August.

By 2013, or the master plan's third phase, another 225 spaces would be added to the North lot, and the eco-park and the riverfront park would be developed.

The eco-park, to be built next to the science center's main entrance, and the riverfront park would have hands-on exhibits relating to nature and science, perhaps a miniature version of a river tributary system to show how a watershed works, water quality demonstrations or educational features involving native plants.

Ronald J. Baillie, the science center's other acting co-director, said officials made a deliberate effort to concentrate on the eco-system as part of the master planning because it has become a "major relevant issue" for the public and for schools as well.

"We need to be providing information and science for people to better understand what they're hearing and what they're reading in the media," he said.

The final phase of the master plan, between 2013 and 2018, would include the construction of an 80,000-square-foot addition to the science center and the 10,000-square-foot reception center, described as a "dramatic atrium-like space" that would feature a ticket area and an expanded gift shop.

Likewise, the science center expansion would house more exhibit space, office space and meeting rooms. It would be built on the west side of the existing building.

Officials hope to finance the master plan development through a combination of fund raising and donations from local foundations and corporations, and sponsorships.

Also yesterday, the planning commission unanimously approved a proposed $30 million Olympic sports complex to be built by the University of Pittsburgh near Trees Hall.

The 12-acre site will feature a 1,500-seat baseball park, an 800-seat softball park and a 1,500-seat soccer field, as well as concession facilities, rest rooms, press boxes and grandstands.

Pitt hopes to break ground by the end of October or early November and plans to have the complex finished by spring 2010.