Randall Denley: A gorgeous, revamped Ontario Place is another provincial gift for Torontonians to hate
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is probably the best political friend the city of Toronto has ever had. But no matter how many billions of provincial tax dollars Ford spends to help his hometown, some Torontonians remain ungrateful.
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Rather than settle for looking a gift horse in the mouth, they rush to the other end of the horse and pronounce themselves very unhappy with what they see. The latest example is the final design for a dramatically revamped Ontario Place, announced by Ford this week.
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Drawings show a spectacular-looking future for the decrepit, provincially owned waterfront park. As the government puts it, 'The reimagined Ontario Place will offer more than 50 acres of free public trails, expanded green space, playgrounds, interactive fountains, new beaches, event spaces and an updated marina, all designed to create a world-class waterfront destination that will attract up to six million visitors every year.'
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Nevertheless, some Torontonians are upset because the site will include a parking garage for the convenience of wrongheaded people who insist on using cars. This follows the scandal of a waterpark and spa that will be owned by a private company, even though the land it sits on is public. Then there is the plan to build a new Ontario Science Centre at Ontario Place. How many more of these horrible blows will Torontonians have to endure?
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Despite the new Ontario Place's obvious attractions, the parking garage was the main item in media coverage. It's glass-sided and not bad looking, for a parking garage. The government says the 3,500-space garage will cost $400 million to build and generate $60 million in gross revenue annually. If so, it's not a bad investment for taxpayers.
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And yet, Toronto NDP MPP Chris Glover said the government shouldn't try 'to make money off the backs of the people of Ontario to access their own parkland.' Toronto city councillor Ausma Malik complained because the garage blocks the view of the waterfront. Local news site BlogTO called the garage 'obnoxiously huge.' Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said the reimagined Ontario Place 'is not revitalization. It is a reckless misuse of public land and a waste of money.'
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