Parts of Ontario Place to close in overhaul

Michael Chan, minister of tourism, culture and sport along with Dwight Duncan, minister of finance announce the government will move full speed ahead to revitalize Ontario Place and also announce John Tory as the chair of the advisory panel.

Toronto Extended: Ministers answer questions

The ministers address questions like what parts of the Ontario Place will be improved and also what kinds of jobs will be created by the 'improved' development.

CTV News Channel: Improving Ontario Place

Ontario Place Corporation Chair Joe Halstead discusses some of the ideas being considered for the future of Ontario Place.

Watch: See all Videos in the Player

A A | Email This Email | Print | Comments (28) Tweet

View Larger Image

ctvtoronto.ca

Date: Wed. Feb. 1 2012 4:58 PM ET

The province said Wednesday that it plans to shut down portions of Ontario Place in a bid to stem the financial bleeding at the once-popular waterfront attraction.

Ontario's Liberal government also tapped former provincial Progressive Conservative leader John Tory to advise it on revamping the floundering waterfront park.

The province is targeting a complete overhaul of the site in time to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary in 2017.

"Today, we are taking a new step forward in the revitalization of Ontario Place to make it a must visit destination and landmark for Ontario families and tourists from around the world," Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Michael Chan said at a news conference Wednesday morning.

Chan said beginning this summer, the province plans to close the waterpark, amusement rides and the Cinesphere movie theatre, saving the government some $20 million a year in operating and capital funding.

However, the Molson Amphitheatre concert venue, Atlantis banquet facility, a marina and parking will remain open until construction begins. Chan said Ontario Place will also be available for the 2015 Pan Am Games.

Finance Minister Dwight Duncan says the province, which is facing a $16 billion deficit, can't afford to keep Ontario Place open when attendance has plummeted.

Ontario Place draws about 300,000 annual visitors, down from the 2.5 million it hosted when it opened in 1971.

In 2012, the attraction offered free admission to celebrate its 40th anniversary, helping increase visits to 563,000.

About 50 full-time positions and 600 summer jobs will disappear as the park undergoes renovations.

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

PissedCanuck
said

Just another nail in the coffin for this once great Province.

Ted from Toronto
said

40 years have worn the place down. I loved the Cinesphere for the early iMax movies. I miss the old Ontario Place Forum the most. Every Canadian music star performed there. It had a very intimate feeling. It would be nice to have a new updated version of Ontario Place but I don't think the present gov't has any imagination. Casinos are the last thing we need.

ARG
said

With no plans in place why not leave it open for a farewell year. Attendance would probably skyrocket as people would come to say goodbye.

jennyca
said

I think the replacing of Ontario place isn't such a good idea because its the only water park that's close to the waterfront and a lot of kids and some teens love going there and maybe instead of taking away Ontario place they can add on and repair some rides and add more pools and watersides and stuff like that....i really dislike the idea of putting a casino there...i think there more than enough casino at Niagara ..so i hope they WONT put a casino and not completely take or change Ontario place..personally i love Ontario place and so does many others.

B.J.
said

Its a dead place, needs to be torn down and rebuild. Look at Chicago's waterfront, thats the best in North America. But of course the Ontario government couldnt think about anything else, so jsut destroy it. Parking alone would never get me there, and the cost to get in makes it expensive for families. The residents of this Province are having tp pay tghrough the nose because of the inept government. Toronto is such an expensive hole why go there.

reidjr
said

matteo
As for if you build it they will come not really true a project like you want would have limited appeal sure some from the states could come but it would aslo be a huge huge gamble.

matteo
said

It's about time. The place is decrepit. Some ideas from a Torontonian: build a large scale casino along with a port facility to the USA (yes we tried once but with a casino, I'm sure the Americans will come), also to the Toronto Island airport. Create a European style "piazza" along with boutique shops, restaurants, and a boutique hotel. Create a bridge to Centre Island for people that want to use the park and not have to wait 30 minutes in cramped lines. Scuba facilities/lessons and launching for divers wishing to explore Lake Ontario would be nice.
Basically they need to completely re-invent the space. The old "safe" method no longer works. We are a first class city and we need to think "big". Enough with the half arsed facilities. Enough with the half measures and painting over a rusted piece of land. Revamp, re-build, re-new. Most importantly, once these are done, they need to MARKET the heck out of it. As the saying goes "if you build it, they will come". Just sayin'......

Jay
said

Convenient how the Libs have "cut" $20 million in spending without calling it a cut. Look closely people. Their plan to "revitalize" Ontario Place has been pushed out beyond the next election.

This is nothing more than a smoke screen for the Libs to call this budget cut something else. They pull $20 mill from the budget and deal with this after the nest election. Next will be increased fees, operating expenditures, and improvements costs. But they will not call them taxes.

Let's bring this minority Liberal government down and get rid of them. Nothing but untruths from this lot.

kenjisan1019
said

Yes, definitely past its prime.
Bulldoze it down and use the land to extend the runways, enlarge the tarmac and facilities at Billy Bishop airport. Its fun to watch the planes takeoff and land.

Robert
said

If the major attractions at Ontario Place are closing, why would one want to go there?

Simon
said

I'm quite sad that Ontario Place has its times. I would suggest if they could build a skatepark at the site, so that way - many skateboarders, bmxers and aggressive rollerbladers would enjoy it. That's my own two cents.

Then again, i'm sad that the park has its purpose.

Jackie Barrett
said

Although I'm not from Ontario, but I know that since the Waterpark is the most popular component of Ontario Place, that part of the park should not be closed.

If the Ontario Government wants to save money and keep popular parks open, Ontario Place should be sold to the private sector.

Once again, another dumb move from Michael Chan, Dalton McGuinty, and your not so friendly neighbourhood Ontario Government.

Time for the Tories to band together and get rid of McGuinty and his not so brilliant cuts once and for all.

Vote NDP in the next Ontario elections.

J
said

To Fran, it's a good idea, but there's already an aquarium under construction at the foot of the CN Tower, scheduled to open in 2013.

Mark - Pickering
said

John, please run this thing like a business not a government bleeder... thats all I ask!

George
said

Very sad. My parents used to take me there with friends for every birthday when I was a kid for a party and to go on the rides. Was a lot of fun and lots of memories.

linda booton
said

Our family were regulars at Ontario Place years ago when our kids were growing up. We would take a picnic lunch and go down to see the show. Either my husband or myself would save seats in what is now the Moson Amphitheatre while the other took the kids to the play area. We had a great time and saw a lot of great shows over the years for a resonable price for a family. At that time the admission price included almost everything. Last year I wanted to go with my family which now includes 3 grandchildren and the price was far to much for me. For the average family the price of admission,plus parking and food makes it a very expensive day and since the shows are no longer part of the admission we decided it was not worth going. I think it is a real shame that Toronto is taking it down. I can understand why attendance is down, it is just too expensive and with Canada's wonderland and Centreville people have other alternatives.

Liz
said

So they are going to close the water park, the amusement rides and the cinesphere... the only reasons our family ever went to Ontario Place. Why not improve THOSE areas instead of replacing them with marinas and banquet facilities that only the rich can afford. Way to go Ontario!

Brett
said

If the government ran Ontario Place like a real business they would have already taken action the issue. Right now, they are not allowed to make money and reinvest it in the park. If they were allowed to tax payers would not have to cover their costs.

Jayhu
said

Ontario Place is way past its prime. That land should be used for a gaming style resort like MGM grand in Las Vegas. Toronto is starting to becoming a world class tourist destination and is needing a place that provides consistent year round entertainment. A casino does not close, it runs 365 day a year and will provide steady consistent employment. Also it will add more competition to the gaming industry in Ontario which is lacking and becoming complacent.

randyfromchatham
said

Sorry to see this. Also fond memories from youth. Another Ontario attraction, CN Tower, how sad to see items for sale, that are made in China.Come on, even if it costs more, sell items from Canada, I was so turned off, and embarassed.Tourists from other countries were there, and they too, were turned off by these so called Canadian souveniers.Who came up with the idea, to sell these at a major Canadian attraction.Shame, Shame, Sell Canadian!!!!

Jaleel
said

We've wanted to go to Ontario Place many times over the past few years, but we were discouraged by the high parking fees. Looks like the parking lot will be one of the few things salvaged here.

Don K
said

@ Fran: They are already building an aquarium at the base of the CN Tower, however I agree that Ontario place would have been a good choice.

This is actually kind of a sad day; I remember going there as a kid to play at the waterpark and as a young adult to attend concerts (both at the old Forum and then at the amptitheatre). It's too bad future generations won't get to have the same experience. I think it could have been as equally popular but they simply stopped marketing Ontario Place properly and this is the result. No doubt it will re-open with a heavy retail/condo component which will essentially kill any real interest in going there at all.

Jennifer W. Toronto
said

I have fond memories of OP from many years ago as well, but I agree with Prof Pye Chartt, it has now become worn, tired, and unexciting. The last time I was there was quite a few years ago, taking a friend's child; this was the first time I'd been over for many years and I could hardly believe it was the same place as I remember.

Janice
said

I think all this talk about a casino in Toronto, why not put it in Ontario Place? It would bring in large amounts of revenue for the troubled Ontario Place. It could be controlled and monitored by security. At least they would have a job and not just sitting around all day.

Fran
said

Why not build an Aquarium at Ontario Place ? This would attract visitors year round.They could also house and put on view the vintage airplanes that are being evicted from Downsview. Another venue for visitors and tourists. A facility for recreation could be built for use for bowling, roller blader and other indoor entertainment.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

The parts the province intends to close are the only ones demonstrating any sign of life. Ontario Place is, unofficially, dead. John Tory is a good choice to oversee the revamping of this prime waterfront property. Fond memories from my youth. We took our kids there a couple years ago, and were surprised at how worn, tired, and unexciting the park had become. Cheers to the future.

MikeW
said

Hope he does a better job at this than he did as a Politician, cause his failings are part of the reason we have Mcguinty in charge and ruining this province

Aaron
said

Another stellar move by the Liberals. PC have no chance John Tory will nail the coffin for Tim Hudak.
Despite E-Helth, Orange (provincial Air Ambulance) FRAUD. McGinty keeps on poaching disgruntled PC's to be in power. You bet 4 years from now another Liberal government in Ontario.

Today's Canada Stories

Anne-Catherine Powers, Shakti Ramsurrun, Gatineau, Quebec

Estranged husband charged in Gatineau, Que., murders

More 2

Four seniors were killed in a fire at Muskoka Heights Retirement Residence in Orillia, Ont. on Jan. 19, 2009.

Inquest calls for sprinklers in all Ont. seniors' homes

More 1

The AgriMarine fish farm near Campbell River is Canada's first closed-containment aquaculture project. July 6, 2011. (CTV)

Federal agency quarantines third salmon farm in B.C.

Most Viewed News Stories

View More News Stories

Most Talked about Stories

I feel that if certain organs were in demand, less effort would be made to revive people. Am I being silly? Not really. I had a bad experience in hospital when my heart stopped, the doctors tried to revive me and failed. They stopped and said I was gone. I came around on my own when the nurse was giving a final BP reading of 'zero'. I heard her declare me dead! It was all I could do to shake my head but they never caught on til I was able to open my eyes. You should have seen them scramble then! I thought the nurse was going to faint. The thing is, I think we may write people off too soon when there is something of value to be gained from them.

me

Should all Canadians be automatically considered organ donors?

Got something to say? Share on CTV News

Pick your location

Canada -

News Sections

News Programs

Features

Browse: