Plans to revamp Ontario Place are 'tone-deaf' and exclusionary, say Toronto residents, critics

Exactly one year after plans were announced to overhaul Toronto's Ontario Place with a massive water park and indoor spa, among other attractions, the latest designs set to go to city council in the fall are igniting concerns of equity and accessibility for downtown residents.

"It just seems tone-deaf to what downtown people want, and it is, after all, our neighborhood," said Duane Rollins.

"This seems like another plan to take away space, livable space that we are already so short demand of down here."

The presentation, which details what the decommissioned waterfront park will look like, was released by the province last week. It is currently being evaluated by Waterfront Toronto's Design Review Panel, which will weigh in with recommendations and come to a decision early next year. 

According to the plan, which is still in its design and approval phase, construction on the site will move from west to east, taking roughly 10 years to complete. The west island will house the water park with a retractable roof and a massive indoor spa is expected to undergo construction in 2024 to 2025.

The reopened venue is expected to boost the city's economy, and is projected to welcome five million visitors per year in addition to creating 3,600 new jobs.

Rollins says the revamp will attract people from out of town, but it is not what local residents are calling for.

"Whether I'm biking or running or walking down there, I enjoy it a great deal. I have memories of childhood from being down there … it's just a really nice piece of nature in the downtown area."

Last year, three companies were selected by the province for the redevelopment, including Austrian company Therme — which specializes in water parks and spas — as well the Quebec outdoor recreation firm Écorécréo. The third company, Live Nation, already operates the existing music venues on site.

The 155-acre waterfront attraction first opened in 1971, but was closed in 2012 after years of declining attendance.

Seven areas are set to undergo construction or redesigning as part of the massive project: the recreation, wellness and water park attraction area, restored pods and Cinesphere, marina, year-round entertainment complex, outdoor adventure zone, Trillium Park and programming and event zone.

In July 2021, the province said the site's most iconic features and greenspace will be preserved. At the time, the province noted it will be preserving many of the "key heritage and recreational features" of Ontario Place, including the Cinesphere, the pod complex, the marina, Trillium Park and the William G. Davis Trail.

While assessments and public consultations are ongoing, Urbanist and mayoral candidate Gil Penalosa says the current designs present issues of equity and accessibility. He is pushing for the attraction to be moved.

"What the province is coming up with now is something that is completely isolated, all exclusionary, only for wealthy people, not for the everyday Torontonians," Penalosa told CBC Toronto.