Queen’s Park to redevelop Ontario Place into all-season tourist destination

Ontario Place is going to get a facelift. When it’s done, the province promises the location will be the world-class destination it was meant to be.

Premier Doug Ford announced on Friday that his government has selected three companies to begin redeveloping Ontario Place. This trio is expected to help deliver an inclusive, family-friendly experience that will play a role in the province’s post-pandemic recovery. “As we mark the 50th anniversary of Ontario Place this year, there is no better time to bring this iconic destination back to life,” said Premier Ford. “By taking this first step with our world-class development partners, as well as the City of Toronto and Indigenous communities, we will deliver a renewed Ontario Place that provides year-round entertainment for all ages and interests. As we continue to engage and consult with the community, Ontario Place will realize its full potential as a long-term economic generator for the people of Ontario.”

The transformation of Ontario Place will include three new major attractions:

• Therme Group is building Therme Canada | Ontario Place, a family-friendly, all-season destination offering something for all ages, including pools, waterslides, botanical spaces to relax, as well as sports performance and recovery services. Outside, people will enjoy more than eight acres of free, publicly accessible gathering spaces, parkland, gardens and beaches.

• Live Nation is redeveloping the existing amphitheatre into a modern, year-round indoor-outdoor live music and performance venue that will attract world-class artists and events. Protecting the iconic amphitheatre lawns, the new venue will have an expanded capacity of 20,000 in the summer and close to 9,000 in the winter, offering a unique indoor-outdoor experience with operable exterior walls to accommodate events, rain or shine.

• Écorécréo Group is building an affordable, all-season adventure park for all ages. This new, environmentally friendly attraction will include aerial obstacle courses, net-based aerial adventures, ziplines, climbing walls, escape rooms and many other activities. Écorécréo Group will also operate Segway, quad-cycle, canoe and kayak rentals at the site.

Queen’s Park will begin public consultation on the redevelopment project in August, which is expected to extend into the fall. The province has yet to provide a timeline beyond that point.