Backgrounder is up:


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Only ‘new’ news via the Globe and Mail:

“Therme is promising to set aside about 3.2 hectares – approximately a 20th of the total area of Ontario Place – for free outdoor space.”
Well, Trillium Park is already around 3 hectares, so my guess is they're preserving that as a public park and closing the rest.
 
I'm watching this press conference just to count the number of times the words "world-class" is said. Let's see how many times these pour souls try and convince themselves they are doing something that's "state of the art" and "world-class"
what would be "world class" then if this isn't? I mean it's easy to be an armchair critic, but what do you do that doesn't cost billions of public financing and provides activities here that are actually going to be genuine attractiions? Therme seems like a fun new destination to me.

Turning the whole thing into a park isn't really world class to me, the whole area is already well stocked with parkland, and a giant park here would likely be relatively lightly used compared to facilities such as a new concert venue and massive indoor water park.
 


Cinesphere will be maintained

The Ford government first issued a call for private sector partners in January 2019.

It gave prospective developers few constraints other than requiring that their proposals be for a year-round site and not include plans for residential development or a casino.

As part of the new vision, the province will help develop new parks, promenades, trails and beaches along the public sites while also retaining and helping to integrate the iconic Cinesphere and pod complex into the wider development.

The Trillium Park and the William G. Davis Trail, which were developed under the previous Liberal government, will also remain a part of the new Ontario Place and will be kept accessible throughout construction.

Costs unclear

The Ford government has committed to ensuring the site is development ready but on Friday senior bureaucrats speaking on background had no cost estimate for that work, which the previous Liberal government had pegged at $100 million.

They said that they anticipate the planning and approval process for the redevelopment to take place over the next two to three years with the razing of the land and the beginning of construction slated for 2024.

Once fully complete, the province says that the new Ontario Place could attract up to five million visitors a year.

While there is no formal plan to provide new rapid transit service to the site right now, the bureaucrats said that talks are underway with Metrolinx regarding potential “last mile connectivity” solutions between Exhibition Station and Ontario Place.


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While I’m glad the Cinesphere and pods are being retained, it’s sad that there are no concrete commitments to an overhaul and an ongoing maintenance budget for them.

That's my concern as well. The pods are metal sitting in water, they are likely rusting away or in need of upkeep.

Personally, I would rather see the pods replaced with a more modern replica structure. No doubt they interiors would need be modernized and the supports (in the water) given a once over.
 
Personally I think this the right thing for OP.

With the fact that the whole waterfront is being revitalized, and people seem to be much more active these days, this seems like a good idea to me. The original OP was simply just outdated, so revitalizing it and bringing up to today's standards give it vibrancy and serve the community well.
 
While I’m glad the Cinesphere and pods are being retained, it’s sad that there are no concrete commitments to an overhaul and an ongoing maintenance budget for them.

Also, are we still going to have those giant parking lots along the Lake Shore?
It seems that the parking lots are being retained. Hopefully that changes - I gotta believe there's a business case to bury them by digging down one level and putting something on top.

Please, please get rid of the above-ground parking lots.
 

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