Latest news with #DiamondSchmitt
CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Opening of revamped New Brunswick Museum delayed to 2028
A rendering of the New Brunswick Museum's expanded collections and exhibition centre on Douglas Avenue in Saint John, which was originally scheduled to open in 2026. (Rendering by PLAY-TIME, Courtesy of Diamond Schmitt) People eager to check out the revamped New Brunswick Museum in Saint John will have to wait even longer than originally expected. The building, which was slated to launch at 277 Douglas Ave. in 2027, is now aiming for a 2028 opening date. 'Getting all those pieces in place since the sod turning took longer than expected, but we anticipate a late 2027, early 2028 building completion, and the opening in 2028 when the exhibits and everything are finished,' said Tracy Clinch, chair of the New Brunswick Museum Board of Directors. The Museum originally had a goal of opening the new building to the public in 2026. The Museum's extensive exhibit collection has been shut off from the public since it closed its exhibition space at Market Square in Saint John in 2020. It later left Market Square in 2022. 'We're very hopeful to be able to bring things that haven't been on display in decades, or in some case, never on display ever,' said Brent Suttie, chief operating officer of the Museum. 'They should be able to see that when they come visit us in mid-2028.' According to the Museum's website, it has 300,000 artifacts and 300,000 digital media assets. The Museum broke ground for its revitalization project at Douglas Avenue last August, seeking to update and restore its 90-year-old building. The project aims to expand the structure to nearly 165,000 square feet, making room for exhibition galleries, a public auditorium, a rooftop terrace, discovery centres, Indigenous engagement spaces, and research and teaching laboratories. The work will also demolish five neighbouring buildings. Earlier this week, the Museum launched the 'Making History Now' capital campaign, seeking to raise $35 million by 2027. 'What we're fundraising for, essentially, is all the great things that are going to be on display inside the building,' Clinch said. The New Brunswick government has given $58 million to the Museum while the federal government has offered $49.9 million. NB Museum A rendering of the New Brunswick Museum's expanded collections and exhibition centre on Douglas Avenue in Saint John, originally scheduled to open in 2026. (Rendering by PLAY-TIME, Courtesy of Diamond Schmitt) For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Calgary Herald
09-07-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Therme unveils new designs for Ontario Place waterpark and spa
Therme Canada has released its updated design for the landmark waterpark and wellness facility at Ontario Place. Article content The project integrates 16 acres of publicly accessible parkland, walking trails, beaches, cultural gathering areas and nature play zones along Toronto's western waterfront — all free and open year-round. Article content Article content At the heart of the controversial project is Therme's waterpark and wellness centre, which includes 20 water slides, thermal bathing, social saunas, 10 pools and relaxation areas inspired by global spa traditions, the European company said in a statement marking the release of the new design. Article content Article content As part of Tuesday's announcement, it was noted that the updated design for the facility is significantly smaller than was previously proposed. The overall building footprint will be 32,600 square metres, reduced by 14 per cent. The building heights for the two structures noted in the update will sit at 43.5 metres and 22.0 metres, reduced by six per cent and 22 per cent. Article content The plans were developed by Toronto-based architecture firm Diamond Schmitt and Therme ARC, in collaboration with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, STUDIO tla and Trophic Design. Article content The site will also pay tribute to the original Ontario Place with a focus on families and inclusion by offering an area dedicated to family fun including waterslides, wave pools and multiple food and beverage offerings — all set amongst botanical gardens, the statement added.
Global News
08-07-2025
- Business
- Global News
Therme releases new designs for Ontario Place waterpark and spa
The European company behind a private downtown spa and waterpark planned for Ontario Place has released new images of their vision for the area, slightly shrinking their building and putting an emphasis on parkland at the waterfront. On Tuesday, Therme unveiled fresh designs for its facility, which will occupy Ontario Place's West Island. The new design is for 32,500 square metres of indoor space, roughly 14 per cent smaller than the last version released. The company also says it has reduced the height of its two structures by 22 and six per cent. Inside the planned spa, there will be 10 pools, including one with a wave machine. There will also be 14 saunas, nine steam rooms, a series of cold plunges and an ice fountain. Therme said it plans to focus on Ontario Place's history as a family entertainment destination with more than 20 waterslides at its facility. Story continues below advertisement The company has said tickets will cost roughly $40 when it opens. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The new designs also include updates to the 16 acres of parkland Therme will build and maintain under its contract with the Ontario government. The public space includes a sandy beach with change rooms, walking trails and picnic gathering spots. In the winter, there will be ice skating and kayaking opportunities in the summer. The designers behind the plan said they hope to blend the public and private areas to revitalize the waterfront location. 'This design offers a globally inspired wellness experience that is also grounded in a distinctly Canadian identity and informed by the landscape of Ontario,' Gary McCluskie, principal at Diamond Schmitt, said in a statement. 'It blends nature and architecture in a way that makes the waterfront more inviting, inclusive, and alive. Every element of this design — from the pavilions to the plantings to the play spaces — invites people to connect, reflect, and share.' The latest redesign is not the first time Therme has tweaked and changed its waterfront proposal, which is central to the Ford government's reimaging of Ontario Place and opposed by the NDP, Liberals and Greens. During the summer of 2023, Therme reduced the size of its planned facility by 25 per cent and reduced the height of its buildings. Story continues below advertisement Toronto Coun. Josh Matlow said the fact that the designs had been revised again was evidence that the project had been poorly planned. '(They) are scrambling to figure out how to put more lipstick on this massive, taxpayer sucking, island hogging pig,' he said. 'This is not a plan to put real public space at our waterfront; this is about privatizing the West Island of Ontario Place.'
Cision Canada
08-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Therme Canada Unveils Updated Design for Ontario Place West Island
Family fun, public parks and inclusive wellness at the heart of a reimagined Toronto waterfront TORONTO, July 8, 2025 /CNW/ - Therme Canada today released the updated design for its landmark waterpark and wellness facility at Ontario Place, developed by world-renowned architecture firm Diamond Schmitt alongside Therme ARC, in collaboration with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN), STUDIO tla, and Trophic Design. The new vision redefines the relationship between people, place, and wellbeing — offering expansive public waterfront access, Indigenous-informed design, and immersive spaces for family-friendly recreation. The revitalized facility integrates 16 acres of publicly accessible parkland, walking trails, beaches, cultural gathering areas, and nature play zones along Toronto's western waterfront — all free and open year-round. At the heart of the site is Therme's innovative waterpark and wellness centre, where visitors can enjoy waterslides, but also thermal bathing, social saunas, pools, and relaxation areas inspired by global spa traditions. The site will also pay tribute to the original Ontario Place with a focus on families and inclusion by offering an entire area dedicated to family fun including joyful waterslides, wave pools and multiple food and beverage offerings – all set amongst botanical gardens. " Ontario Place has always been a place of connection — to land, to water, and to each other. This project is about honouring those connections through design that reflects Indigenous teachings, ecological stewardship, and community use." said Chief Claire Sault, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. " This design offers a globally inspired wellness experience that is also grounded in a distinctly Canadian identity and informed by the landscape of Ontario." said Gary McCluskie, Principal at Diamond Schmitt. " It blends nature and architecture in a way that makes the waterfront more inviting, inclusive, and alive. Every element of this design — from the pavilions to the plantings to the play spaces — invites people to connect, reflect, and share." "Our collaboration with Trophic Design on the West Island public park lands represents a holistic approach to landscape design that goes beyond aesthetics. By integrating universal design principles with indigenous consultation, ecological restoration and year-round programming, we've created a space that truly serves everyone in the community." said Jeffrey Craft, Partner and Managing Director STUDIO tla " Our approach to support MCFN's vision is to ensure Indigenous knowledge systems are authentically expressed through the West Island re-development. This partnership represents a fundamental shift toward Indigenous place-making principles. Together, we are helping to ensure Indigenous worldviews actively guide plant selection, spatial relationships, and storytelling approaches within the park, creating opportunities for all visitors to learn and connect with the land's true history." Terence Radford, Landscape Architect and Indigenous Consultant, Trophic Design " At Therme, we believe that wellbeing should be accessible, joyful, and culturally meaningful.," said Adam Vaughan, Senior Advisor at Therme Canada, " We are honoured to help shape a renewed Ontario Place — one that is open, welcoming, and transformative." Therme Canada's vision reflects a long-term commitment to collaboration with Indigenous communities and to listening to what Ontarians want, including ongoing consultation with MCFN and cultural knowledge holders.
