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

Before we just to conclusions I'd give them a chance to see what they come up with - I'm pretty sure they can incorporate many of the older structures.

Either way ... this is really good news! What I love is they cite the new aquarium as incentive! So this aquarium not only adds a new attraction but also forces others to modernize / improve.

I don't think anyone can deny Ontario place needs massive changes - I really hope they can do something to make it more attractive to adults as well.
 
Some ideas;

Casino - thought this would probably kill a bunch of business in Niagara... but it could be a nice small casino.
Aquarium - Dig out the area around the pods and put the large aquarium exhibits underwater with some exhibits and interactive areas up in the pods.
Contemporary Art Museum
 
How can they "plan" to tear it all down when the have no proposals to consider. I would like to see the pods stay but I'm open to see what they come up with. I like the Hotel/Casino idea. I also like this location for a aquarium over the one currently being considered.
 
droyces said:
How can they "plan" to tear it all down when the have no proposals to consider. I would like to see the pods stay but I'm open to see what they come up with. I like the Hotel/Casino idea. I also like this location for a aquarium over the one currently being considered.
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If they wanted to save the structures, they could have easily put it in as a requirement in the RFP. They haven't, so what incentive do any of the potential architectural teams have for keeping the structures in their designs?
 
The incentive of not being pilloried? Because we WILL pillory them if they dare. Public stocks would be the best way to treat those who propose to ditch the Pods and Cinesphere. Any architectural firm of any integrity will protect and incorporate those buildings.

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I actually think there are very, very few architects (especially in Toronto) who would look at Ontario Place and not be excited by the prospect of incorporating and reimagining the existing structures into their plans. There is a longstanding professional discomfort with clean-slate urban planning since the 'urban renewal' messes of the 1950s-1970s, and few contemporary practitioners would take that approach. Most architects like using existing context as a source of ideas and justification.

The fact that it is not mandated that the structures be torn down is perhaps a reason for optimism. The fact that the owners are even leaving it as a possibility remains pretty disturbing, though.
 
I wonder if the "blank canvas" remarks were partially aimed at getting people to talk about how many wonderful things there ARE at Ontario Place right now, upon which they can build.

I agree with most of the people here that the place is outdated and needs a huge rethink but unilaterally tearing down all the pods and the Cinesphere would be a crime. Maybe they're not "heritage" but they are unique and attractive and can certainly be worked into some kind of new scheme. I'm thinking, for example, of how a lot of the Montreal Olympic sites (which are basically the same architectural era) were repurposed for the Biodome and things like that.

I have fond memories of the place (and was thinking of going this weekend, if not for the Indy) but it's clearly had its day. At least they recognize the immense potential of the site, so let's hope they also realize what they do have instead of starting from scratch.
 
Why is there any question about the Cinesphere and the Pods being heritage? They appear in countless postcards, and postcard shots of Toronto, and many commercials that have promoted the city over the last decades. What more do you need for heritage than structures that have defined the public face of this city?

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Agreed. One of the biggest problems with the place is access.
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Disagree. The Islands have access problems and yet thrive. The only way to the Islands is by boat. Here you can easily drive, walk, cycle or take transit. The problem is there isn't enough to do here. In the old days one went here or to the Islands. Now you can go to a revitalized Harbourfront which sucks people from OP. With the kids we cross over during the CNE to check out the water park. Beyond that zippo.
 
We need to find a way to stop this! Those floating pods and the Cinesphere must be protected. Tear the rest of Ontario Place down but save the floating pods & Cinesphere. I'm feeling sick about all this. Guys, we need to start a letter writing campaign, to make our anger known. I'm going to write Christopher Hume and ask him to write some articles about it. This has to be stopped!
 
interchange42 said:
The incentive of not being pilloried? Because we WILL pillory them if they dare. Public stocks would be the best way to treat those who propose to ditch the Pods and Cinesphere. Any architectural firm of any integrity will protect and incorporate those buildings.

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I'm optimistically hopeful about this as well.
 
Of course it should be considered heritage because it represents a very unique style of architecture of a certain time in history -- just coming off the tailend of Canada's centennial high. Don't forget that this was Premier Bill Davis's response to Expo 67. He personally felt the city needed something unique on the waterfront and personally championed it. The fact that it hasn't been properly programmed over the last several years should not be an excuse to mothball it and knock it down. This represents an opportunity to enhance the buildings that are there - the cineshpere, the pods and build something new around them and build something that would be a true destination year round.
 
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