Toronto 
Premier Doug Ford has announced some significant changes to Ontario Place.
Credit: Ontario Place
The Ontario government has unveiled its vision for the redevelopment of Ontario Place into a world-class, year-round destination with expanded parkland, beaches, waterfront access, and family-friendly entertainment.
Per the news release, the plan includes relocating the Ontario Science Centre to a custom-built, state-of-the-art facility at Ontario Place, preserving and upgrading the iconic Cinesphere and Pod complex, and offering science-based educational programming.
Credit: Ontario.ca
Additionally, the government is finalizing an agreement with Live Nation to create a year-round concert venue. The new amphitheatre will increase capacity and protect the grassy amphitheatre, welcoming up to 20,000 fans in an all-season setting. The project aims to create a cultural and recreational landmark that will provide fun for everyone while attracting visitors from around the world.
Ontario is also discussing partnership opportunities with Ontario Live, a group composed of recognized leaders in the fields of social, hospitality, and entertainment services, to provide world-class experiences.
The plan includes new design concepts for future public spaces, such as the East Island and the expanded shoreline of the West Island. The West Island development by Therme Group into an all-season destination includes including spa, pools, waterslides, and botanical spaces to relax, as well as sports performance and recovery services.
Proposed public spaces and waterfront attraction: Therme Canada | Ontario Place
The province says these concepts incorporate Indigenous culture and place-keeping features, and illustrate the revitalization of the site with new public trails, parkland, beaches, and improved waterfront access.
The province plans to engage with the market to develop a new and improved public marina at Ontario Place, including retail, dining, and family-friendly activities, creating a year-round social hub.
The new Ontario Science Centre will be integrated with an underground public parking facility, designed with electric bus and vehicle chargers. This self-financing, revenue-generating facility will complement existing transit and transportation options to access Ontario Place.
In a nutshell, the new proposed design for future public spaces and parklands at Ontario Place will include new trails and parkland for walking, running, and biking, picnic areas, lookout points, event spaces, beaches and swimming areas with improved waterfront access.
Credit: Ontario.ca
The proposed designs feature five distinct areas across the site, which visitors can access free of charge all year round:
- The Water’s Edge
- Brigantine Cove
- The Forum
- The Marina
- The Mainland
The province says the relocation of the Ontario Science Centre creates a housing opportunity at the future site of a terminus station of the new Ontario Line, with additional planned community infrastructure. The province will collaborate with the City of Toronto to bring more affordable and attainable housing to the neighbourhood.
Per the news release, site servicing work will begin this spring to upgrade and modernize Ontario Place’s existing infrastructure, such as water, electrical, and gas services. A construction company will be selected following a competitive procurement process launched last year.
The redevelopment of Ontario Place is expected to create approximately 5,000 new jobs during construction and permanent operations stages, generating millions of dollars in new revenue for the province and attracting an estimated four to six million visitors each year. Further details about the Ontario Science Centre’s relocation and development partners Therme Canada and Live Nation will be provided later.
