Ontario Premier Doug Ford has unveiled the final designs for Ontario Place, but many Torontonians are still not convinced by the plans.
On Tuesday, the Ontario government finally unveiled its final plans for the theme park, including a full map with the new layout.
The latest plans show several new amenities, including the new Ontario Science Centre, beaches and access to Lake Ontario, a children’s playground, and a Live Nation concert venue.
“You can just imagine people strolling along the shore line at sunset, enjoying stunning beaches and wet lands, canoeing, boating, kayaking along our beautiful waters, and taking in concerts, markets and festivals. This is going to be spectacular, something this country’s never seen,” Ford told reporters outside of Ontario Place in Toronto.
The plans also include the controversial Theme megaspa, which the government says it’s investigating after the New York Times found that the developer may have misrepresented itself before signing a 95-year lease with the province.
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According to the latest announcement, the new Ontario Place will also get a large above-ground $400-million parking structure, which Ford claims will make the area more accessible for visitors and school trips.
The premier says the new structure, which will have 3,500 parking spots, will be barely noticeable and “blended into the surrounding area,” right next to a huge, colourful “Ontario Place” sign, which he says will be comparable to the Toronto sign in Nathan Phillips Square.
“It’s going to be beautiful. We’re going to have a berm at the front, you’ll barely even see a parking lot…We’re going to have a massive sign that says ‘Ontario Place,’” he said. “This is great news.”
The large parking lot will be located at the east of the Ontario Place, next to its main entrance, occupying a large portion of the area. On the other side of the map lies the Therme megaspa, with the Live Nation concert venue, Ontario Science Centre, and the marina in the middle.
Ontarians are reacting online to the province’s latest plans, with many still skeptical of the redeveloped Ontario Place.
“Put it back the way it was. We don’t need an expensive spa. Should have put in splash pads, swimming areas and food trucks. It should be free for ALL Ontarians. Not the wealthy. It’s going to be useless for most of us,” one X user said.
“The only thing that is actually planned is their spa. Everything else is window dressing! They haven’t even finalized the effing requirements for the new mini Science Center, so how can they be releasing “final renderings”?!” A Reddit user pointed out.
“I also like how many renders also don’t actually match the map…Very profesh the entire package of ‘final’ designs,” another user added.
Other users have also been speaking out against the decision to add the large parking structure, saying that it could pollute the lake view or encourage more traffic downtown.
“Nothing like a giant above ground parking structure on the waterfront. This will likely obstruct many views all along the waterfront,” one Reddit user said.
“Encouraging more cars on our already congested streets is a terrible idea,” another user added.
Meanwhile, some users also seem optimistic about the project.
“Unpopular opinion: Honestly, besides the parking, the renderings are nice. Probably better transit integration would make sense, but unlike many here, I’m not fully opposed to the plans for the water front itself, given that [Ontario] has been left to rot by [the] successive government,” one Reddit user suggested.
“The pictures look great, I know that’s not a popular opinion but it seems to get rid of one of the parking lots and looks like more public beaches. So far so good, hopefully it all works out. Sure the trees will be a little small to start but give it 20 years and they’ll grow in nicely,” a different user chimed in.
