Ontario Place
ontario place entertainment venue event venue park toronto ontario canada venue located three artificial landscaped island offshore lake ontario south exhibition place southwest downtown toronto opened may operated theme park centred around ontario theme family attraction government ontario announced would close redevelopment since reopened park without admission fee without several old attraction government ontario placed acre year lease therme group since closure theme park several venue facility remained open reopened one section redeveloped budweiser stage operates summer season cinesphere original imax theatre reopened new projection equipment show film regularly although currently closed renovation east island trillium park william g davis trail opened marina sheltered three sunken lake freighter operates seasonally site exhibit pod several pavilion suspended lagoon remained closed closure atlantis event facility much west island facility permanently closed natural space used recreation occasionally special event hosted west island village ontario place theme park operated annually summer month designed originally promote province ontario exhibit entertainment focus changed time theme park family water park childrens play area amusement ride exhibit pod discontinued pod became venue private event forum concert stage long primary draw ontario place early year offered free concert wide variety prominent artist free price admission park structured true amphitheater seating side recessed stage round revolved concert seat offered equal view stage offered first come first served basis despite vocal protest eb zeidler architect park among others forum torn replaced misleadingly named amphitheatre truth static proscenium arch stage banked ticketed seating long period declining attendance government ontario closed facility except music venue marina season built cne ontario government building displayed exhibit ontario annual canadian national exhibition cne success ontario pavilion expo montreal government ontario decided replace cne building new stateoftheart showcase government first considered moving ontario pavilion site toronto island instead decided instigation jim ramsay build facility elsewhere waterfront ontario premier john robarts announced project opening cne august shall utilize natural setting waterfront modern structural design hope create mood gaiety openness helped make popular ontario pavilion expo park originally conceived onshore exhibit idea discarded favour five large architecturally unique threelevel pod aquatic setting somewhat similar concept montreal expo ground middle saint lawrence river pod would approximately square foot area suspended steel cable four large central pylon driven deep lake bed pod initially housed various ontariothemed exhibit first model displayed government dismayed director jim ramsay first time saw october architect brought small model laid u nothing piece balsa wood piece black plastic half tennis ball sticking remember thinking oh god – whats getting original plan estimated cost ca million construct plan facility grew include forum outdoor amphitheater marina nine restaurant nine snack bar three land ride pedal tour boat additional acre ha landfill park built ontario department trade development architect craig zeidler strong structural engineer gordon dowdell associate landscape architect hough stansbury associate general contractor secant construction construction started march design phase difficult design problem developed cost openwater pod foundation alone time estimated ca million would consume almost entire budget pod construction architect eb zeidler faced dilemma construct pod without necessary budget zeidler developed innovative solution trip caribbean realized barrier reef concept would cut wave action lake enough reduce cost pod foundation original openwater estimate quarrel toronto harbour commission due danger unseen reef shipping reef plan modified incorporate three artificial barrier island made city landfill five steel aluminum pavilion pod square foot side pod supported four pipe column rising foot lake tension cable support shortspan truss sit concrete filled caisson driven foot lake bedrock pavilion connected one another land glazed steel bridge ontario place designed modular use appearance zeidler say structure designed give illusion dimensionless space exploiting technology shape society tomorrow forum outdoor concert venue featured central hubisland childrens village would occupy eastern island commercial section overlooked water modular construction shop restaurant west would connected intricately planned set walkway bridge addition island would unique colour scheme entire complex later infused brilliant colour graphic design typical late early childrens village designed eric mcmillan cost forum theatre sat additional grass seat roof structure hyperbolic paraboloid positioned cement bastion covered foot revolving stage giving near degree sightlines roof made tongue groove plywood covered copper sheathing landscape architect michael hough overlaid scale model university toronto walking path onto ontario place plan check appropriate walking distance ensured comfortable rest area placed appropriately child elderly would need walk far without comfortable seat ontario place operated rubberwheeled tractor train boat take visitor key point various island prevailing wind wave condition also considered design scale model tested university toronto wind tunnel large earthwork berm planted tall native ontario tree created shelter walkway prevailing southwesterly wind south costeffective themecongruent plan sink three large obsolete great lake shipping vessel implemented sheltered artificial harbour intense openlake wave technique would later used toronto island outer harbour first phase construction sinking ship onto stone bed covered concrete forming foot long breakwater perimeter finished work began acre ha three artificial island marina included project holding boat foot length originally controversy allowing public facility house upscale boating dock within new artificial harbour supporter plan believed dock integration ontario place would tie location closer lake via boating activity improve general ambience expo osaka japan new imax movie technology first exhibited great success decided build first permanent imax installation ontario place cinesphere seat theatre built building spherical triodetic dome foot outer radius foot inner radius dome supported prefabricated steel aluminum alloy tube design ontario place long list award including one international committee documentation conservation building modern movement royal architectural institute canada national trust — prix du xxe siècle american society landscape architect ontario government ministry culture tourism sport declared ontario place cultural heritage landscape provincial significance ontario place opened may eastern island childrens village yet built postponed july finally opened season initially estimated ca million final cost construction ontario place ca million million dollar plan grew encompass feature attraction opening day attendance park initial size square metre acre square metre acre created landfill firstyear admission price adult student child – commemorate opening theme park promote province ontario multimedia exhibition created presented inside pavilion dolores claman wrote music richard morris wrote lyric music presentation entitled theme ontario place theme ontario place subsequently released ontario department trade development doublesided rpm vinyl record manufactured quality record op side containing pop version side b easy listening recording photo still construction ontario place used cover purposebuilt imax theatre premiered specially commissioned film north superior minute film depicting life northern ontario first season million people viewed film first year attendance million park higher expected cost ran deficit million winter screening cinesphere financially successful government ontario raised admission adult cent cent youth manager james ramsay replaced returned ministry trade development two governmentrun restaurant lost money leased private operator second season first year visitor cne pay admission enter ontario place starting second year admission cne included free admission ontario place park altered considerably since inception redevelopment occurred three island park pod building eventually closed exhibit space rented atlantis private event facility ontario north exhibit built west island showcase northern ontario combination interconnected silolike building topped dome reminiscent cinesphere connected overhead walkway smaller domed movie theatre boatbased water ride added along smaller exhibition center consisting three concrete silolike building large reflecting pool nearby drained used house addition major climber structure smaller stage kid show several kidoriented attraction reducing complete separation area featured original design outdoor intheround concert stage forum torn replaced ca million molson amphitheatre much larger facility based bandshell design additional echo beach outdoor music venue added north shore east island east island original childrens area primarily nonpowered largely removed large woodandrope climber area replaced large soak city waterpark first water park ontario several small fairground ride later added large tension structure tent covered childrens park removed leaving large open area new stage many concrete bollard used secure various tent structure still seen although proposed tourist attraction promote ontario park subsidy nevertheless consistent concern government ontario first season ran deficit million led increase admission price following season ontario place ran deficit million still charging adult admission season patti starr ontario place chair reduced deficit million privatizing retail sale fastfood operation cutting advertising increasing fee forum torn larger molson amphitheatre part reduce park million annual deficit ontario place general manager max beck suggested merger exhibition place save money federal finance minister jim flaherty proposed selling ontario place subsidy million attendance another concern park management new attraction regularly introduced gain new interest attendance declined million annually million million attendance declined one million annually ontario government appointed former toronto mayor david crombie revitalize park last summer operating season attendance ontario gaming commission proposing casino downtown toronto one site mentioned ontario place solution declining attendance revenue downtown casino eventually stopped opposition toronto city council casino idea also opposed border city ontario existing casino fall fall million spent improvement included significant refreshing expansion waterpark froster soak city added new family waterslide outdoor spa pool waterfall metre newly landscaped beach public promenade upgrade expanded soak city variety added new view toronto downtown waterfront new slide called topsy turvy purchased proslide technology ottawa ontario topsy turvy recognized best new waterslide international association amusement park attraction iaapa installation topsy turvy engineering system needed operation completed october late final season upgrade cinesphere original projection system replaced stateoftheart imax film technology toronto architecture firm gow hastings architect making cinesphere largest theatre canada second largest north america new sound system seat concession area interior also added introduction inhabitat ecology conservation animal care exhibit called ecolearning centre former arcade building founded created jaime carnevale ecolearning centre established lagoon area ontario place fun informative edutainment attraction created display world wildlife fund toronto region conservation authority royal ontario museum park canada toronto humane society recycling council ontario toronto wildlife centre earth ranger ministry natural resource ecolearning centre attracted visitor first year operation construction echo beach general cleanliness park also upgraded significantly including removal foot obsolete fencing investment made entertainment marketing sponsorship thanniversary celebration free ground admission offered public first time year live entertainment performance quadrupled advertising reinstated new ad campaign developed draft fcb toronto significant sponsorship th birthday celebration ctv generated extra advertising value ontario place recognized iaapa worldwide finalist brass ring award category best integrated marketing campaign result effort generated improvement attendance number park revenue public perception ontario place total park attendance increased despite average year concert molson canadian amphitheatre decline crossover attendance canadian national exhibition core park attendance increased firsttime visitor attendance increased even revenue category increased doubledigit figure despite fact charge actual admission ground score interviewbased research visitor perception also improved strongly favourable response question ontario place changed better increased ontario place favourite entertainment park gta perception park cleanliness general upkeep improved respectively summer government ontario issued request information calling idea private bidder completely redevelop park ontario place general manager tim casey told toronto star th anniversary definitely need revitalization thats surprise blank slate we’re open anything” formal request proposal process began fall government intends transform park largely seasonal facility yearround attraction redevelopment included tearing cinesphere well longstanding attraction february government announced public section park would closed redeveloped target date year canada th anniversary john tory announced chair minister advisory panel revitalization ontario place facility closed except marina molson canadian amphitheatre atlantis entertainment venue parking following provincial election june government announced plan july ontario place developed urban parkland molson canadian amphitheatre cinesphere pod retained west channel ontario place venue pan american game athletics marathonrace walk cycling road race triathlon cyclingrun open water swimming triathlon swim water skiing parapan american game cycling minor temporary upgrade made accommodate use game construction begun march park waterfront path named william g davis trail ontario premier opened original ontario place portion east island transformed parking lot trillium park new park included km mi william g davis trail opened june november cinesphere reopened showing dunkirk north superior part regular schedule weekend programming cinespheres screen replaced new imax laser projector installed early government ontario led liberal premier kathleen wynne solicited proposal new purpose ontario place could include condominium casino progressive conservative elected june announcement made plan dissolve ontario place corporation follows province indicating interest establishing casino land november finance minister vic fedeli suggested government open considering new purpose park without restriction set previous government december government ontario appointed james ginou toronto businessman progressive conservative fundraiser new chair board ontario previously served position government ontario announced would develop rapidtransit line ontario line connecting ontario place downtown toronto northeast ontario science centre line targeted open may announcement held cinesphere government ontario released call proposal redevelop ontario place big bold idea proposal must include residential unit casino must require specific monetary outlay subsidy government ontario proposal must preserve existing amount parkland included trillium park preserve existing budweiser stage otherwise permit type change subject approval also may toronto city council voted – list ontario place toronto heritage property register listing offer legal protection world monument fund included ontario place world monument watch program alongside heritage site around globe “in need timely urgent action” response province ontario international call development proposal wmf listing demanded “an end topdown decisionmaking embrace heritage encourage community dialogue” following watch inclusion world monument fund partnered architectural conservancy ontario faculty architecture landscape design university toronto protect heritage value ontario place initiative called future ontario place project research initiative design challenge public campaign future ontario place project started working build public knowledge heritage value site imagine future ontario place public cultural asset ontarians july development plan announced two company redevelop different sector livenation already operates music venue site revamp budweiser stage amphitheatre indooroutdoor facility capacity people summer nearly winter austrian company therme group develop west island new large facility cover island facility include indoor outdoor pool spa waterslides restaurant botanical garden outside facility build acre ha public park beach projected admission price indoor activity per person full day admittance third company proposed build zipline adventure park pulled project company government could come term lease private sector investment expected million public sector investment disclosed review process environmental heritage public consultation likely extend construction scheduled begin completion february toronto city council voted adopt process create approval process province plan redevelopment ontario place process generally follows city traditional development approval process notwithstanding ontario place predominately constructed provinciallyowned land based timeline rezoning application expected late site plan approval process began cinesphere closed renovation september ministry reported “repair work cinesphere pod bridge proceeding onschedule fall site servicing including sewage water electrical gas expected begin spring therme canada local partner toronto international film festival tiff mississaugas credit first nation black north initiative tiff later paused relationship therme ahead festival partner include aecon group inc diamond schmitt studio tla strategy corp serving therme canada strategy communication formerly swim drink fish canada partner exited partnership belief government portion plan simply opaque controversial u support thermes plan received strong public backlash group ontario place leading campaign development plan develop public space existing beach forprofit private developer became prominent election issue toronto mayoral campaign saw mayor olivia chow come opposition project later dropped opposition project city government ontario reached agreement transfer two toronto freeway valley gardiner province saving city estimated billion community group continued opposition attempting stop slow project court ford government proposed move ontario science centre site would sit atop large parking garage would serve therme spa centre would also incorporate pod exhibit space cinesphere proposed move controversial park profiled ali weinsteins documentary film tomorrow park open daily without admission accessible west entrance trillium park entrance several venue operate separate ticketing eastern entrance used exclusively budweiser stage budweiser stage person capacity outdoor concert venue stage inner seating area covered permanent roof stage operates summer season popular music concert formerly known molson amphitheatre cinesphere person capacity imax imaxd theatre opened time theme park screen selection imax film weekend also used toronto international film festival imax laser mm film theatre theatre housed triodeticdomed spherical structure similar geodesic dome developed collaboration concert promoter live nation echo beach person generaladmission outdoor concert venue designed help recreate popular ambience original ontario place forum minus revolving stage introducing real sandy beach section view toronto nighttime skyline first performer echo beach included sloan robyn platinum blonde toronto life magazine wrote new echo beach reason love toronto music sound better star based strong review rising attendance live nation increased substantially number concert scheduled echo beach including lady peace sam robert counting crow may live nation signed sponsorship deal royal bank canada resulting venue renamed rbc echo beach downtown toronto beach located ontario place also feature outdoor classroom known teachbeach also venue annual waterhumancomputer interaction waterhci deconference beach pebble beach facilitates pebblewalking barefoot walking pebble therapeutic effect popular location yearround swimming approximately member swimop swim ontario place swim drink fish lake ontario waterkeeper swimming water quality tested regularly yearround swim drink fish site wide range educational research activity ontario place offer slip pleasure craft two marina offer slip seasonal visit rental marina open may october trillium park newly developed park east island park provides trail firepit picnicmeeting shelter special planting full redeveloped one area west island repurposed used cultural festival event skating rink operates winter month boat rental operate summer month ready first season childrens village opened july built cost east island occupying acre active playground offered large net climb tube slide foam swamp foam piece plastic sheet pogobird bounce punchbag forest plastic climbing pyramid rubber forest large air mattress jump total activity half village covered square foot bright orange vinyl canopy village designed eric macmillan village changed time active activity replaced water park amusement east island roofed area closed replaced heritage square live entertainment childrens activity also developed west island including large climbing facility game creative activity ride forum outdoor concert venue architectural landmark forum seating capacity featured covered seating unique tentlike metal framed solid roof extra seating open surrounding grassy hill half seating capacity current amphitheatre arguably better sound bench seating offered far intimate theatre round experience featuring rotating stage gave every seat house turn excellent view featured event included annual toronto symphony rendition tchaikovsky overture complete firing gun nearby hmcs haida often performance well established act b b king peter tosh glen campbell kenny rogers johnny cash james brown dizzy gillespie jan dean pat metheny blondie chic kc sunshine band canadian act like burton cummings lighthouse bruce cockburn nylon luba men without hat box doug slug parachute club red rider strange advance unfortunately due riot teenage head fan purportedly instigated manager allegedly interested publicity harder rock act thereafter banned venue summer forum ahead curve bringing act like paul young royal family tina turner huge comeback following year forum torn end season according lou seller ontario place marketing entertainment manager decision made forum quaint could take big act sightlines better acoustic better well able offer stateoftheart concert experience seller also said ontario place looking forward increase attendance park cost provincial treasury million annually budget amount wanted decrease plan criticized original ontario place architect eb zeidler suggested building facility east island keep forum described engineering achievement kept ontario place landscape architect michael hough criticized cutting tree necessary new facility plan met protest toronto city hall city toronto council stop project project paid molson brewery mca today live nation waterpark began concrete waterslide canada first opened east island infill expanded new water attraction hydrofuge rush river raft ride pink twister waterslide purple pipeline waterslide eventually current soak city theme time closure five water slide pool splash pad splash pad area park many feature interactive controlled useroperable valve valve freeturning ballvalves connected large handwheel water park ride feature hmcs haida decommissioned second world war destroyer open public early ship going scrapped volunteer raised enough money saved towed toronto opened attraction august pier foot york street city planned build serviceman memorial park near prince gate exhibition place organization haida inc ran financial problem ship taken government ontario moved ontario place site turned attraction also used sea cadet training camp bought park canada moved new home hamilton ontario incorporated new marine museum city future pod opened pod featuring display exhibit technology communication energy including fullsized replica canadarm used space shuttle canadian baseball hall fame museum originally opened ontario place moving permanent home st mary ontario ontario north themed area made bulk west island including wilderness adventure ride simulated mine muskeg petes main street mining exhibit became weather exhibit nintendo power pod attraction featured super nintendo entertainment system game boy virtual boy nintendo game guest played thenlatest nintendo game lego creative play centre located pod adjacent nintendo power pod pod featured thousand lego piece guest play numerous midway ride temporarily installed park final season ontario place served filming location episode angel death tv series war world setting shootout dr harrison blackwood team supposed alien ally confront evil alien personally led alien advocacy ontario place also used filming urban legend final cut tunnel terror back scene show ride turned horror ride two character killed electrocution authority believe accidental used star trek strange new world firstseason episode ghost illyria doubling exterior shot abandoned hetemit ix colony venue pan american parapan american game list music venue toronto official website ontario place revitalization ontario place revitalization archived april wayback machine report pdf theme ontario place – side theme ontario place – b side footage ontario place childrens village ca archive ontario youtube channel promotional video ontario place archive ontario youtube channel history ontario place