Premier Doug Ford says he supports relocating the Ontario Science Centre to Ontario Place, as the government is set to announce redevelopment plans soon.
“I personally think it’s a great idea. But if I told you now, my minister of infrastructure would shoot me on the spot. So can you stay tuned to next week?” Ford said in a press conference after making an announcement in Kitchener on Thursday.
So, what does this exactly mean?
Talks surrounding these grounds have been on the table for about a year, according to Ford.
He did not provide any further details about the plan, as more will be shared within the coming days by Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma.
Based on the Canadian Encyclopedia, the Ontario Science Centre was first opened in 1969 as one of Ontario’s projects for the Canadian Centennial, funded both provincially and with a federal grant. The science centre is located near the Don Valley Parkway and sits on about 90 acres of land.
Soon, the centre will have its own subway station as part of the Ontario Line project, a 15.6-km subway line that will run from Exhibition Place to the Science Centre, which is currently located in North York.
When asked about the possibility of developing new housing on the site of the Science Centre, Ford said if they decide to move it, then there is an opportunity to build it.
“That’s where the Ontario Line is going to go to as well, so I think there’s a tremendous opportunity to create something, attainable homes and affordable and non-profit homes in that region if we decide to go down that road,” the premier said.
ONTARIO PLACE REDEVELOPMENT CONTROVERSY
The provincial government decided to shut most of Ontario Place down in 2012 after declining attendance. The only areas that remained open were the marina, Molson Amphitheatre concert venue, Atlantis banquet facility, and parking.
An advisory panel, led by former broadcaster and lawyer John Tory (who subsequently became mayor of Toronto from 2014-2023), was then created to help the government plan redevelopment plans for the site. The plans included a re-imagined public park, local businesses, water resorts, a waterfront area among other ideas.
The proposal received backlash from advocates and city planners who did not agree with the vision for the waterfront property. In specific, many people criticized the idea to include condo towers as part of the re-development.
FUTURE OF ONTARIO PLACE
Fast forward to today, Ford’s recent 2023 proposed development plan for Ontario Place is currently being reviewed and is still receiving criticism from opposition parties and advocate groups.
Under the heat of the spotlight is Ford’s idea to create a 65,000-square metre private entertainment, water recreation and wellness centre on Ontario Place’s West Island, built by Austria-based company Therme.
This is in addition to several other amenities, such as a revamped Budweiser Stage concert venue, a five-level underground parking garage with 2,100 spaces, and a bicycle parking facility with 680 spaces.
“You know, it doesn’t come without bumps and hurdles. Therme and then Live Nation is going to just have a spectacular outdoor venue,” Ford said.
The plan also includes science-based programming in partnership with the Ontario Science Centre that would be a single-story building on top of the proposed underground parking garage.
The plan would use $650 million in government spending for the infrastructure and parking garage. Community groups, such as Ontario Place for All, have been extremely vocal about keeping Ontario Place a public property.
According to the group’s petition, the proposed plan is “another Ford boondoggle, taking money from the people to give to his rich developer buddies.”
Minister Surma is expected to share more information about the plans for Ontario Place in the coming weeks.
