Toronto Ontario Place | ?m | ?s | Infrastructure ON

[Bruno Republic]

Whatever they do it is very important that it not become another Toronto attraction.

This is an ONTARIO building built by and for the people of ONTARIO, not just Toronto and Ontario Place must reflect this. This must be a place that is for Ontarians and represents the province and just making it another entertainment building along a Toronto park is a slap in the face to all Ontarians outside Toronto.

You're right. They should first start by moving it to a location which is central to all Ontarians, not way out on the fringes of the province like Toronto. Somewhere about 300 km north of Sault Ste. Marie would be about right. Sure it will be in the middle of the wilderness and hours away from everyone, but at least nobody will feel insulted by the location, and that's what's most important about a major attraction, right?

 

[maestro]

Hmmm......a Casino there, would have been a no-brainer

Revel Ontario Place has a great ring to it.


You're ten years too late. Casinos are grossly overbuilt with new ones still opening. Revenues are further and further being split.

 

[maestro]

Ignoring the issue of site accessibility - given the Cinesphere, the existing pods and space for redevelopment, I have to wonder if it would have made a great location for TIFF if not for the current Lightbox.

AoD

Enough space for both TIFF and a Pinewood partnership.

 

[ssiguy2]

Do you mind clarifying what you mean by this? After all, a park is a park, regardless of how well or poorly designed. Are you indicating that you want attractions there that are powerful enough to draw in people from outside Toronto, or is there a specific way you fear it will be designed that will label it a Toronto park rather than an Ontario park? I have a feeling it's days as a theme park style attraction are done, and the Ontario government doesn't seem to be in the position or mood to spend large amounts of money on the space. They're going to have to be spectacularly innovative with the funds they do have if they want to start drawing in the non-Torontonians again.

If Ontario Place just becomes another part of the Toronto parks systems and nothing more than Toronto should have to pay for the land and the proceeds go back to other parts of Ontario for their own cultural needs.

TIFF is also a bad idea because again it is completely Toronto focused and this is a site and structure that should reflect all of Ontario. All Ontarians should be able to go there and know that it is "their" place and not Toronto's.

Perhaps a design/architectural museum reflecting all of Ontario's very diverse building methods? A biosphere for Ontario's huge variety of fauna? An entertainment venue strictly for Ontario musicians/acts with restaurants and stores that sell strictly Ontario made goods from wine to honey to beer to crafts? All of these things would work well especially with Fort York right next door.

My point is that this should be an Ontario destination where Ontarians can explore all the diversity their province has to offer in a fun and engaging way. A place where all Ontarians will feel at home at when they see the beer from their local brewery or winery, vegetables from Leamington, stone buildings from Guelph, crafts from Bracebridge, black history from Uncle Tom's cabin in Dresden, unique formations from the Canadian shield, Francophone history from the Ottawa Valley, the gallows of The Old London Courthouse and the record of the Donnely's, the first oil strike in NA from Oil Springs, and yes the building of Queen's Park in Toronto.

Ontario is Canada's most socially diverse province with a very interesting history and cultures Ontario Place would be the ideal location to showcase it.

 

[Tuscani01]

^I don't agree. Residential compromises the area as an event destination.

No it doesn't. Look at CityPlace and Skydome/Rogers Centre. All condo purchasers have signed a purchase agreement that states that they are aware of the large events which occur in the vicinity, and that they waive the ability to complain of inconvenience caused by the events. This prevented the residential zoning from interfering with the commercial activities at the Rogers Centre/Skydome.

It's as simple as that.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

If Ontario Place just becomes another part of the Toronto parks systems and nothing more than Toronto should have to pay for the land and the proceeds go back to other parts of Ontario for their own cultural needs.

That's bull - are you saying that it wasn't for all intents and purposes a gloried theme park whereby most of the attendees are from Toronto in the first place?

TIFF is also a bad idea because again it is completely Toronto focused and this is a site and structure that should reflect all of Ontario. All Ontarians should be able to go there and know that it is "their" place and not Toronto's.

Yes, I have the greatest amount of trouble just thinking how a geodesic dome and a bunch of pods represent all of Ontario, Moosonee and all.

Perhaps a design/architectural museum reflecting all of Ontario's very diverse building methods? A biosphere for Ontario's huge variety of fauna? An entertainment venue strictly for Ontario musicians/acts with restaurants and stores that sell strictly Ontario made goods from wine to honey to beer to crafts? All of these things would work well especially with Fort York right next door.

With a total attendance of like what, 5 per year? No issue about Ontario themed products, but it isn't exactly anything unique is it?

My point is that this should be an Ontario destination where Ontarians can explore all the diversity their province has to offer in a fun and engaging way. A place where all Ontarians will feel at home at when they see the beer from their local brewery or winery, vegetables from Leamington, stone buildings from Guelph, crafts from Bracebridge, black history from Uncle Tom's cabin in Dresden, unique formations from the Canadian shield, Francophone history from the Ottawa Valley, the gallows of The Old London Courthouse and the record of the Donnely's, the first oil strike in NA from Oil Springs, and yes the building of Queen's Park in Toronto.

That's like the worst form of theme park - at once boring and cliched.

Ontario is Canada's most socially diverse province with a very interesting history and cultures Ontario Place would be the ideal location to showcase it.

That can fill in perhaps what a tenth of the space at a questionable level of self-sufficiency. Perhaps the taxpayers from the rest of Ontario would like their funds to support this endeavour instead of their own local facilities providing immediate benefits to their communities.

AoD

 

[maestro]

If Ontario Place just becomes another part of the Toronto parks systems and nothing more than Toronto should have to pay for the land and the proceeds go back to other parts of Ontario for their own cultural needs.

TIFF is also a bad idea because again it is completely Toronto focused and this is a site and structure that should reflect all of Ontario. All Ontarians should be able to go there and know that it is "their" place and not Toronto's.

Perhaps a design/architectural museum reflecting all of Ontario's very diverse building methods? A biosphere for Ontario's huge variety of fauna? An entertainment venue strictly for Ontario musicians/acts with restaurants and stores that sell strictly Ontario made goods from wine to honey to beer to crafts? All of these things would work well especially with Fort York right next door.

My point is that this should be an Ontario destination where Ontarians can explore all the diversity their province has to offer in a fun and engaging way. A place where all Ontarians will feel at home at when they see the beer from their local brewery or winery, vegetables from Leamington, stone buildings from Guelph, crafts from Bracebridge, black history from Uncle Tom's cabin in Dresden, unique formations from the Canadian shield, Francophone history from the Ottawa Valley, the gallows of The Old London Courthouse and the record of the Donnely's, the first oil strike in NA from Oil Springs, and yes the building of Queen's Park in Toronto.

Ontario is Canada's most socially diverse province with a very interesting history and cultures Ontario Place would be the ideal location to showcase it.

So, yeah, a repeat of the last 40 years. Start out with something quite awesome but, see it widdled down to an overpriced pathetic display to control the losses.

 

[Torontovibe]

That's bull - are you saying that it wasn't for all intents and purposes a gloried theme park whereby most of the attendees are from Toronto in the first place?



Yes, I have the greatest amount of trouble just thinking how a geodesic dome and a bunch of pods represent all of Ontario, Moosonee and all.



With a total attendance of like what, 5 per year? No issue about Ontario themed products, but it isn't exactly anything unique is it?



That's like the worst form of theme park - at once boring and cliched.



That can fill in perhaps what a tenth of the space at a questionable level of self-sufficiency. Perhaps the taxpayers from the rest of Ontario would like their funds to support this endeavour instead of their own local facilities providing immediate benefits to their communities.

AoD

It's very easy to shoot down other people's suggestions and then offer none of your own. So many people on this site, jump to criticize anyone who dares to find solutions to problems but very few of them offer any suggestions of their own. They just have this defeatist attitude that whatever is suggested, will never work.

If someone is going to criticize another's suggestions, why don't you also include what you think would be a better option? If you have no creative or ingenious suggestions, why shoot down the positive contributions of others?

I think it's better to try and fail, then to just accept defeat and do nothing at all. Ontario Place doesn't need a quick fix. It needs trial and error, to figure out what is going to be the best alternative but with the right effort, I am sure it can be a great destination again. Failure should not be an option here.

It's a one-of-a-kind park that is worth keeping and improving. I think it's the most beautiful public space/park in the Province. Those floating pods still float my boat, to this day. The most spectacular view of Toronto is with Ontario Place in the foreground and the skyline glimmering behind it.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

It's very easy to shoot down other people's suggestions and then offer none of your own. So many people on this site, jump to criticize anyone who dares to find solutions to problems but very few of them offer any suggestions of their own. They just have this defeatist attitude that whatever is suggested, will never work.

If someone is going to criticize another's suggestions, why don't you also include what you think would be a better option? If you have no creative or ingenious suggestions, why shoot down the positive contributions of others?

I think it's better to try and fail, then to just accept defeat and do nothing at all. Ontario Place doesn't need a quick fix. It needs trial and error, to figure out what is going to be the best alternative but with the right effort, I am sure it can be a great destination again. Failure should not be an option here.

It's a one-of-a-kind park that is worth keeping and improving. I think it's the most beautiful public space/park in the Province. Those floating pods still float my boat, to this day. The most spectacular view of Toronto is with Ontario Place in the foreground and the skyline glimmering behind it.

I think you should review my record of postings re: OP before critiquing my critique. In the span of the last few pages, I have already hinted at some kind of film-oriented attraction would be an idea that reuses existing historical infrastructure. Lecturing us that somehow the city would owe the province money if there is a public park aspect to the space is just as much an act of shooting down someone's idea and replacing it with their own. And yeah, TIFF is somehow has no significance to the province, right.

AoD

 

[Tewder]

I can just see the pavilion devoted to Ontario fauna: mosquito hall anyone? Pass.

I like the festival idea! Why not give one of the world's most spectacular film festivals an equally spectacular setting for certain galas?

 

[maestro]

Too often on these forums ideas that are unrealistic to implement are heralded probably because, at some point, everyone has dreamed of it. I just don't see something far fetched being of any use or positive.

Nearly two generations of Ontario governments have expressed zero interest in operating a money losing proposition at Ontario Place. This has to be a consideration on any idea that improves on what is proposed otherwise, we'll all just setting ourselves up for disappointment with fairy tales.

 

[Tewder]

Then again, if the political will isn't there to address this site in a way that's worthy why not just leave it alone? Preserve the lands simply (parkland) and leave this amazing site for a future generation to do something spectacular with it. We don't need to touch our grubby hands to everything!

 

[Torontovibe]

Then again, if the political will isn't there to address this site in a way that's worthy why not just leave it alone? Preserve the lands simply (parkland) and leave this amazing site for a future generation to do something spectacular with it. We don't need to touch our grubby hands to everything!

Exactly! If the government doesn't want to take the risk of doing anything with it, just leave it as it is for now. Lease out the Cinesphere and the water play area to private businesses and just keep the park as a public park with free entry. Move a few of the local festivals here and call it a day. Hopefully one day in the future, a government will realize the value of Ontario Place and make something great out of it. If all the amenities/restaurants at OP were leased out to businesses but left just as it is, it would still be a great public space. You can't beat the setting and location. It just needs a streetcar stop near the main entrance.

 

[Torontovibe]

I think you should review my record of postings re: OP before critiquing my critique. In the span of the last few pages, I have already hinted at some kind of film-oriented attraction would be an idea that reuses existing historical infrastructure. Lecturing us that somehow the city would owe the province money if there is a public park aspect to the space is just as much an act of shooting down someone's idea and replacing it with their own. And yeah, TIFF is somehow has no significance to the province, right.

AoD

If I had to read the previous posts of all the posts I comment on, it would be way too time consuming. This site already consumes enough of my time. My comment was just a general comment to all members who criticize people's suggestions. (not just specifically yours) Sure, some people have unrealistic suggestions but let people dream. At one time the internet seemed like an impossible dream, yet here we are.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

If I had to read the previous posts of all the posts I comment on, it would be way too time consuming. This site already consumes enough of my time. My comment was just a general comment to all members who criticize people's suggestions. (not just specifically yours) Sure, some people have unrealistic suggestions but let people dream. At one time the internet seemed like an impossible dream, yet here we are.

If one chose to post their dreams on a public forum, it's an invitation to comments and critiques. No one is under any obligation to pretend gravity doesn't exist or money grow on trees.

AoD