Latest news with #OntarioPlace
CTV News
10 hours ago
- CTV News
This is what the new Ontario Place will look like
New renderings show the reimagined Ontario Place, which the Ontario government boasts 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 the changes to the public space have been designed to create what the province says will be a world-class waterfront destination that will attract up to six million visitors annually. Published:
National Post
a day ago
- Automotive
- National Post
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. Article content 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. Article content Article content 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.' Article content 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? Article content Article content 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. Article content Article content 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.' Article content
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Critics pick apart design plans for Ontario Place
Toronto Watch Sean Leathong has the latest on the redevelopment of Ontario Place underway with an estimated price tag of $400M.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Ontario Place final designs revealed
Ont. Premier Ford during an update on the redevelopment of the Ontario Place, saying it will provide over 5,000 jobs and welcome millions every year.
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Ford says he's 'very satisfied' with Therme deal at Ontario Place after review
Social Sharing At the unveiling of the final designs for the province's controversial redevelopment of Ontario Place Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford said he had reviewed Ontario's deal with Therme and is "very satisfied," despite allegations the company had misrepresented itself in its bid to run a spa on the site. This spring, the Ontario government was grilled over allegations first published by the New York Times that Therme exaggerated the number of spas it was running in Europe at the time. Auditors had also found the company was losing money and had less than one million euros in equity, according to the New York Times. The allegations followed an auditor general's report from late last year that found the contracting process — which landed Therme its 95-year lease at the site — was not "fair, transparent or accountable." Ford said in April the province would re-examine the deal, and reporters asked him for an update at a news conference at Ontario Place Tuesday. "I did double check, and I'm very, very satisfied," Ford said. Critics react to allegations that Therme misrepresented itself to get Ontario Place deal 2 months ago Duration 2:40 Ontario's government plan to build a luxury spa on the former site of Ontario Place is under the microscope again after allegations that Therme falsely presented itself to secure the 95-year deal. CBC's Shawn Jeffords has the story. Ford was asked where Therme is getting financing for its project, but said he didn't know. "It's none of my business, as long as they come here," he said. "But they seem to be moving forward and have financing." Before any of the allegations against Therme, the project had already drawn criticism for including a private, luxury spa on a provincially-owned public space. Final designs for redevelopment released Images released at Tuesday's unveiling show designs for Therme's waterpark and spa on the west island, as well as the relocated Ontario Science Centre on the mainland, an expanded concert venue at the current site of the Budweiser Stage and a multi-storey parking garage. The redeveloped Ontario Place will also have more than 50 acres of public trails, green space, playgrounds and beaches, as well as an updated marina, Ford said. On Tuesday, Ford repeated the province's claim that the redeveloped Ontario Place is expected to draw up to six million visitors a year. That figure has been disputed by experts, who note that the CN Tower only draws 1.8 million visitors annually, and Ford's prediction would put Ontario Place on par with the Eiffel Tower as a draw for tourists. "Our government is returning this iconic destination to the people of Ontario," Ford said. "We're building a world class, year-round destination for everyone to enjoy." The province first announced its plans to redevelop Ontario Place in 2021. The site opened in 1971 but was closed in 2012 after years of declining attendance.
