In 1969 a promotional brochure advertised Ontario Place as “a mirror to show you yourself. Your heritage, your land, your work, your creativity, and your tomorrow.” So, let’s take a look in the mirror and see how we’re doing. For starters, it looks like we’re at odds with ourselves.
The Ford government’s proposal for a new Ontario Place has stocked strong feelings amongst Torontonians. For some, it’s an ambitious attempt to revitalize a place that looms large in the heart of Ontario. For others, it’s an attempt to take space from the public and turn it into the preserve of the wealthy.
The future of Ontario Place
The most notable features of the new Ontario Place are the waterpark and spa. On the face of things, these are great ideas. Who wouldn’t like to visit a cool new water park? Who wouldn’t want a relaxing trip to a spa? The problem is whether any given Torontonian would be able to actually access these new amenities.
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According to the province, the public will have free access to more than two-thirds of the park year-round. On the other hand, the Globe and Mail’s Alex Bozikovic has drawn a map that suggests a much more exclusive Ontario Place.
The Toronto Star’s Shawn Micallef has levied some harsh criticism for the plans themselves. Citing urban planner Gil Meslin, Micallef questions whether or not the design for the new park is even possible. According to Meslin, the images drawn to illustrate the future park leave out some less-than-glamorous details. Places like the proposed park require plenty of “back of house spaces: places for trucks to come and go, HVAC systems and other services”. Meslin goes on to raise the question of parking but one would hope that the completion of the Ontario Line would reduce the number of trips taken to Ontario Place by car.
Therme, the Austrian company set to develop the new Ontario Place and has assured the people of Ontario that it “promises a year-round family-friendly experience featuring unparalleled, affordable and accessible opportunities to experience fun, entertainment and wellness in an immersive destination.” Cool!
Private profits and public space
What does affordable mean to Therme? What does it mean to the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto? I’m less concerned about the planning and architectural aspects of the new Ontario Place and more concerned with accessibility. If all of these new amenities can be delivered at a cost affordable to everyone then great!
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So, how much will it cost us to have a day in the spa built in the mirror of our province? If it’s genuinely affordable, it must be something like $5.00 or $6.00 right? Maybe the private company running the new Ontario Place won’t be able to make a profit charging reasonable prices, but I don’t see how that’s our problem. Why should Ontario care if an Austrian company is able to profit off of our place?
Let’s give the Ford Government the benefit of the doubt. Let’s take them at face value and accept that they’re committed to this vision of Ontario Place because they’re a government for the people. If so, are they willing to foot the bill and subsidize the price of a ticket that even the poorest Ontarians can afford?
