Since its completion in 1971, Ontario Place has been an iconic waterfront landmark. Its five-pod pavilion towers over a lagoon on Lake Ontario, and the Cinesphere houses the world’s first permanent IMAX theatre in a geodesic dome. The waterfront attraction lost its vitality in recent years with the closure of its amusement park in February 2012.
The future of Ontario Place became unclear. Nothing was off the table, and condo development as part of a new park became a possibility. Recently, however, Premier Kathleen Wynne announced that there would not be condos in any revitalization plan if the Liberals were reelected.
Wynne’s election promise is understandable. Toronto’s waterfront is already extensively built up with condos downtown, in the Humber Bay neighbourhood and scattered throughout west and east-end neighbourhoods along the waterfront. The city will see more waterfront condo development as the East Bayfront and Port Lands are revitalized.
Condos bring increased vitality to neighbourhoods and new residents with a passion for their neighbourhoods. Ontario Place, however, is a unique venue in the city that should see a different vision than the one being realized along Queens Quay East—one of pure leisure opportunities, culture and entertainment.
Ontario Place has always been a place for fun and leisure with a waterpark, an outdoor concert venue, the Cinesphere movie theatre, nightclubs and an amusement park. The city needs places like Ontario Place where people young and old can be loud at concerts, waterparks and other attractions without disturbing a neighbourhood. It’s the kind of amenity that makes living in the big city more enjoyable and attractive.
The Liberal vision for revitalizing the park includes predictable features like an urban park and waterfront trail, but also a year-round music venue and an unspecified cultural attraction. The Liberals are also suggesting a waterfront canal district with stores and restaurants and a repurposed Cinesphere.
The plan for Ontario Place’s future isn’t yet concrete. It could change dramatically with the defeat of the Ontario Liberals. But it cannot lose its identity as a place to celebrate the province and enjoy its finest leisure and entertainment opportunities. No matter who wins the election, Ontario Place should not become an ordinary neighbourhood.
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