The Ontario government has announced plans to turn Toronto’s neglected Ontario Place into a “world class destination” and “urban oasis” that will include new attractions, an adventure park, enhanced outdoor amphitheatre, plus plenty of parkland. Notably, the new site will not include condos, a casino, or be sold – ideas that had been previously floated but vehemently opposed by the public.
The six- to nine-year redevelopment of the former waterfront jewel in the city will be led by three private companies in partnership with the government, and will deliver an “exciting, inclusive, and family-friendly experience” for both residents and visitors alike.
The announcement comes during the 50th anniversary of the site, which opened in 1971 beside the Canadian National Exhibition on the Lakeshore and was a prime attraction in the city (including the landmark Cinesphere – second only to the CN Tower as a symbol of the city) until being decommissioned amidst financial losses in 2012. Still home to a prime outdoor concert venue, Ontario Place attracts a million visitors a year, a figure that is expected to increase five-fold when re-opened in full.
Led by international well-being developers the Therme Group, the new Ontario Place will include outdoor pools, waterslides, botanical spaces to relax, art installations, as well as sports performance and recovery services. Outside, people will have access to 3.2 hectares of free, publicly accessible gathering spaces, parkland, trails, gardens, and beaches.
Therme Canada says it will provide “fun and healthy activities for all ages, and affordable wellness therapies to meet all needs,” adding that healthy and sustainably produced food is a cornerstone of its dining/entertainment offerings.
Therme Group CEO Dr. Robert Hanea said, “The future of Ontario Place will be defined by how successful it can be connecting people to the water. Through our technology and by engaging the community, Therme and our partners will add a new architectural landmark that will play a role in bringing more people back to the waterfront, capturing the original spirit of Ontario Place from 50 years ago.”
There will also be an all-season all-age adventure park from Écorécréo Group, featuring aerial obstacle courses, net-based aerial adventures, ziplines, climbing walls, escape rooms, as well as Segway, quad-cycle, canoe, and kayak rentals.
Meanwhile, Live Nation is slated to redevelop the existing amphitheatre into a modern, year-round indoor-outdoor live music and performance venue that will attract world-class artists and events. Protecting the iconic amphitheatre lawns, the new venue will have an expanded capacity of 20,000 in the summer and close to 9,000 in the winter, offering an indoor-outdoor experience with operable exterior walls to accommodate events, rain or shine.
Public input will be sought during the planning process and the government vows that key heritage and recreational features of the site – including the futuristic Cinesphere, pod complex, marina, Trillium Park, and the William G. Davis Trail – will be retained and integrated into the redevelopment. It is not clear whether the Cinesphere will again screen IMAX and popular movies on its six-storey screen.
The province says it will also work with the Ontario Science Centre to explore opportunities to have science-related tourism and educational programming at the Cinesphere and pod complex.
The site would also be more accessible than it is currently through a nearby stop on the proposed Ontario Line subway (Exhibition Place), which has been forecast to be completed in 2030.