Ontario Place

[J_F]

some members here from my age group probably remember Ontario Place from the glory days
I used to go there on school trips in the 70's - magical place for a kid under 10
then used to go in the 80's for concerts at the Forum as a teenager
all great memories, haven't seen it ~ 30 years

was putting along Lakeshore this afternoon - nothing pressing going on
and decided to go for a walk around the old park

what a depressing sh1thole it's turned into - broken concrete, weeds growing through the pavers
looks like the Cinesphere still has the the IMAX going? but it doesn't look good
the old pods appear to be long chained closed and out of service
windows are filthy inside and out, looks like birds have taken up residence

the old childrens village appears to be gone, the Log Ride is not looking good
it always was lame - big drop was like 15ft, but that's why you had to do it
it's disappearing into the brush that's taking the place over

pretty depressing little tour - place reminds me of a Pripyat youtube
it's an Ontario property, so who's to blame for this ******* disgrace?
McGuinty and Wynn I'm assuming? and now the city is stuck with it?

 

[ifiddles]

that is such a shame...we went every year when I was a kid in the 70s and loved it...I remember watching all the IMAX movies, the slides, rides, climbing ropes...such great times...sad to see a local icon go to *(&^

 

[Scuba Steve]

I remember the splash pad and waterslides etc from way back it has been let to decline for decades.

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[backmarkerducati]

The park as it was just wasn't financially viable anymore and I am all for not dumping taxpayers money to keep it open the way it was.

They just can't agree on what to do with the land.... Some want casino, some want just green space, some condos.... There have been more than a few reports and studies done, as usual. I guess it will sit until a super villain uses it for their headquarters.

 

[J_F]

yeah, I guess so
a massive socialist exhibit could be pulled off in the 70's
it's too expensive now
there has to be a profit motive to be sustainable

 

[hdsomeday]

North of Superior !!!

That is sad to see. I remember going there all the time in the summer for so many reasons...school trips, Imax movies, concerts, bars, paddle boats, kids rides.... The free admission during the EX was a bonus.

Maybe make it a minimum security prison. They can clean it up

 

[GreyGhost]

yeah, I guess so
a massive socialist exhibit could be pulled off in the 70's
it's too expensive now
there has to be a profit motive to be sustainable

Wonderland really put a hurting on it. It opened a decade after Ontario Place. As with most public projects, Ontario Place seemed like it was a major cash burn to build and after that it had little access to capital to revamp operations to remain relevant/attractive/viable.

I strongly suspect it will be mostly flattened and replaced with new development. What that development looks like has been the subject of much debate (and countless studies/proposals). Ford flinging MZO's out like candy at hallowe'en may finally settle the situation but I'm not sure he wants to waste the political capital he has accumulated as no matter what path is chosen, there will be a ton of angry voters.

 

[Zoodles95]

Casino plus the amphitheatre? Maybe put some cool restaurants and pubs?

There has to be a way to update the place. I grew up.in Ottawa and never went there in the heyday. I have been to Wonderland, the C.N.E., and the Indy a whack of times.

The only thing I have done at the Ontario place has been the Cirque De Soleil shows in the parking lot and several concerts at the amphitheatre.

Ideas?

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[GreyGhost]

Casino plus the amphitheatre? Maybe put some cool restaurants and pubs?

There has to be a way to update the place. I grew up.in Ottawa and never went there in the heyday. I have been to Wonderland, the C.N.E., and the Indy a whack of times.

The only thing I have done at the Ontario place has been the Cirque De Soleil shows in the parking lot and several concerts at the amphitheatre.

Ideas?

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I am slightly surprised that it is so abandoned. On the surface it would seem that they have some spaces that could be rented out (and lots of parking). Maybe it is approaching the point of not economically viable to utilize the existing buildings.

Casinos are a political hot-potato. Putting one downtown will crush the casinos/gaming facilities circling the GTA and Niagara.

My guess is a huge mixed-use neighbourhood with a big park. That will generate a ton of money for gov't and the park can be used to fend off opposition to waterfront development. Alternatively they could push the entertainment district down there so the lake can be a backstop for the gun battles but that will generate a lot less money so I doubt they would go that way.

 

[Zoodles95]

Could they park a cool ship there ala Ozark?

Marine museum plus restaurants? I thought the Haida (spelling?) was a cool draw there until it was towed to Hamilton.

It is a neat spot and has so much potential plus Exhibition Place is so close by. If there was not already a brewery district I would suggest something like that.

How do you make it family friendly and economically viable?

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[GreyGhost]

How do you make it family friendly and economically viable?

Mixed-use. The residential component both pays a ton of property tax and puts a lot of bodies in the area to keep the restaurants/commercial busy and viable. If it was just commercial without residential, it may have a rough go. The wind off the lake is cold much of the year and that doesn't encourage people to travel out there.

Alternatively, as exhibition place is also old, punt exhibition place south and fill the current land with condos so that you don't have a sea of condos south of lakeshore. The ex is another large parcel of land that is substantially underutilized the vast majority of the time.

 

[J_F]

yeah will probably end up using the space for mixed density residential and retail

I'd really like to see the above water pods and the golf ball stay though

a really important part of TO 20th century architecture and skyline

the pods would make good casino space

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[sburns]

Had my High school grad there. Also went there as a kid to play around the climbing park and swing the big bags into other kids good times Watched several Imax movies as well. More recently I worked a couple of events there as that part of the location was still in use. Too bad the rest has been rundown.

I read a while back there was some negotiations between the city and province, both have some claim over the site but neither (of course) can't come to terms.

They really should update some of the buildings which are useful, movie, restaurants, event spaces, and scrap the stuff which doesn't work year round, and then beautify the waterfront make it a place to go and spend time outdoors. The city/people are desperate for places for people to spend time exploring outdoors, and with the current state of crummy TO waterfront this would be good to keep, instead of converting it into condos which seems more the norm instead of making the city more interesting and taking advantage of the water for interesting public spaces.

 

[Priller]

Saw a lot of great concerts at the Molson Amphitheatre in the late '90s and early '00s. It's a heck of a venue, but would be very much at risk if they turn the land over to condos.

According to the confusing Wikipedia entry, they're accepting proposals for the land that a) won't cost the province money, b) isn't residential, and c) isn't a casino. I suspect Covid has killed any of that for now...

 

[Mad Mike]

I think anyone who was young in the 80s has at least a couple of fond memories of Ontario Place.

I'd love to see it turned into a mega entertainment complex - restaurants, brew pubs, musical theaters, maybe a small Casino or boutique hotel as the anchor. Revamp the marina facilities so they attract big money boaters that use the lake from April to Sept.

 

[Roadghost]

Ah the '70s. When there were still massive waves of kids from the baby boom of the 50s and 60s that could support grand amusement parks. I remember Ontario Place, since it was a cheap knock off of Expo '67 (that I attended as a kid that glorious summer). Sadly, there are no more kids, at least in significant numbers. The few there are usually get locked away in a room with an X-Box or Nintendo, not to be heard or seen. Of course there's Wonderland, that always seems like it's in financial trouble. And that glorified county fair they call the Exhibition, mostly seedy and decrepit.

Seems like the country we knew has vanished. A couple of months ago I took pics of the old A.V. Roe building where they built the revolutionary AVRO Arrow. They tore it down last week. A civilisation, GONE WITH THE WIND.

 

[GreyGhost]

Ah the '70s. When there were still massive waves of kids from the baby boom of the 50s and 60s that could support grand amusement parks. I remember Ontario Place, since it was a cheap knock off of Expo '67 (that I attended as a kid that glorious summer). Sadly, there are no more kids, at least in significant numbers. The few there are usually get locked away in a room with an X-Box or Nintendo, not to be heard or seen. Of course there's Wonderland, that always seems like it's in financial trouble. And that glorified county fair they call the Exhibition, mostly seedy and decrepit.

Seems like the country we knew has vanished. A couple of months ago I took pics of the old A.V. Roe building where they built the revolutionary AVRO Arrow. They tore it down last week. A civilisation, GONE WITH THE WIND.

Wow, I was just searching for pics of the building and I came across this. Politicians need to be reigned in. They are paying $3,622,982 for an arrow on a stick in a park. 3.6 million dollars. It is cool but have a little foresight. The existing replica that was at downsview almost got scrapped as nobody wanted it. It's sitting in elmvale now and the work the volunteers did to build it is amazing.

Plans to build a $3.6 million structure are moving forward in Mississauga | INsauga

Plans to build another iconic structure in Mississauga are moving forward. Recently, the Malton BIA announced that it signed a contract with Stainless Outfitters of Barrie for the manufacture and installation of a full-scale, AVRO Arrow replica in the Flight Garden, which is located at Derry...

www.insauga.com

 

[nobbie48]

Ontario Place was great for dates in the day but has aged. It has location problems in that much of the property is inhospitable in the winter. IMAX has limited films to shows.

The CNE is of limited value due to TV. In the good old days one could go to the Ex to see the new washing machines and radios. Then came TV and of course now the internet.

The Automotive Building displayed cars that had already been on the road for 10 months.

The food building was where one could try exotic foreign foods. Now they're everywhere all years round.

Other venues now exist and a lot of exhibitors can't afford to do multiple shows so go to the specialized ones at the International Centre, Congress Centre etc.

Die hards and newbies still go for the fast food, nostalgia and rides. I know a family that came every year until Covid. It remains to be seen if they will re-establish the pattern once Covid is over or in some way predictable.

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair I think, still makes a go of it due to the horsey set and school trips. I don't think they can carry the whole financial weight of the grounds.

The whole property needs a rethink. Tory wants to build a park over the rail lands for billions so why not make the EX more hospitable all year for a lot less. Keep the architecture but bring the activities up to date.

 

[GreyGhost]

Ontario Place was great for dates in the day but has aged. It has location problems in that much of the property is inhospitable in the winter. IMAX has limited films to shows.

The CNE is of limited value due to TV. In the good old days one could go to the Ex to see the new washing machines and radios. Then came TV and of course now the internet.

The Automotive Building displayed cars that had already been on the road for 10 months.

The food building was where one could try exotic foreign foods. Now they're everywhere all years round.

Other venues now exist and a lot of exhibitors can't afford to do multiple shows so go to the specialized ones at the International Centre, Congress Centre etc.

Die hards and newbies still go for the fast food, nostalgia and rides. I know a family that came every year until Covid. It remains to be seen if they will re-establish the pattern once Covid is over or in some way predictable.

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair I think, still makes a go of it due to the horsey set and school trips. I don't think they can carry the whole financial weight of the grounds.

The whole property needs a rethink. Tory wants to build a park over the rail lands for billions so why not make the EX more hospitable all year for a lot less. Keep the architecture but bring the activities up to date.

Rail deck park is an incredibly expensive and only marginally useful idea. It is shocking that JT didn't propose it. I agree with your analysis.

 

[Baggsy]

yeah, I guess so
a massive socialist exhibit could be pulled off in the 70's
it's too expensive now
there has to be a profit motive to be sustainable

Took my eldest for sure and maybe the twins, less than 20 years ago.

The Big Blue Machine's "Socialist" Experiment.