The Ontario government recently issued requests for development proposals for Ontario Place on Toronto’s waterfront, home of the iconic Cinesphere cinema. However, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Michael Tibollo said, “I want to be clear. Our vision for Ontario Place does not include residential developments or casinos.”
Ontario Place was closed by the provincial government in 2012. Attendance at the government-owned theme park had dropped from 2.5 million when it opened in 1971 to 300,000.
Tibollo said, “We have a jewel in Ontario Place. It just needs to be polished.” He said a wide range of proposals will be considered, including sports facilities, entertainment venues, public spaces and parks, retail and more.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in a statement several meetings have been held between the city and the province. He said not considering a casino at Ontario Place was done in response to Toronto officials’ concerns.
The Cinesphere and the park’s futuristic pod complex do not have to be preserved according to development guidelines. Also, no public capital or operational money will be provided for the project, said Infrastructure Minister Monte McNaughton. Development guidelines state the government prefers a plan for the whole site, but “smaller-scale creative and bold concepts may also be considered for portions of the site.”
Toronto Mayor John Tory said the city was told about the call for development ideas “as opposed to any substantive discussion between our two levels of government. As an owner of a portion of Ontario Place, the city of Toronto has a longstanding interest in its future.”
