Many seem to be forgetting the Government's initial position (particularly the highlighted ones):

  • The areas available for development includes the Ontario Place islands, mainland, pods, and the Cinesphere.
  • Proposals may be for a portion of the site or for the entire site. The government intends to maintain 7.5 acres of park land. Submissions that propose the use of any part of Trillium Park will be required to develop new park land of an equivalent size at the site.
  • Development will be through ground lease arrangements; land sale will not be considered.
  • Residential uses for the site will not be considered.
  • Proposals that require capital investments for planning, design or construction from the province will not be considered.
  • Proposals that require operating grants from the province will not considered.
  • Proposals for development of the land where the Budweiser Stage is situated will not be considered as it is subject to an existing lease.
Whether 'no public money' includes a dedicated transit route remains to be seen.
 
News Release

Cirque du Soleil Coming to Ontario Place in 2019
February 11, 2019

Ontario’s Government Breathes New Life to Waterfront Site
TORONTO - Ontario's Government for the People is working quickly on making progress in bringing Ontario Place back to life, and making it a world-class, year-round tourist destination by signing a new deal with Cirque du Soleil to deliver programming on the site in 2019.

The government recently announced it was launching an Expression of Interest process to invite ideas and concepts from potential proponents who may have an interest in the long-term development of the Ontario Place site, which has been closed since 2012. The Expression of Interest process will open this spring and will encourage potential partners from around the world to take a fresh look at Ontario Place, while signalling that Ontario is open for business.

In the meantime, the government is taking immediate steps to transform Ontario Place and attract residents and tourists to the site by partnering with Cirque du Soleil. The internationally recognized company will bring its unique brand of entertainment and artistry to the shores of Lake Ontario. The company expects to offer 80-90 shows during the fall of 2019.

"While we keep one eye on the long-term development of the Ontario Place site, our government is also working to help people reconnect with this iconic piece of property on Toronto's Waterfront," said Premier Doug Ford. "I can't think of a better suited and more internationally recognized company than Cirque du Soleil to partner with and bring family-oriented entertainment and excitement back to Ontario Place."

"Partnering with an organization like Cirque du Soleil will reinvigorate a space that has been neglected and under-utilized," said Michael Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. "Bringing high profile programming like this to Ontario Place will also allow us to explore further short-term activations elsewhere on the site to help attract visitors from Ontario and abroad."

"We are excited to bring back a Cirque du Soleil touring show to Ontario Place; an important location for Ontario residents renowned for its large-scale entertainment events," said Finn Taylor, Senior Vice-President of Touring Shows at Cirque du Soleil.
 
Can we assume it'll set up in the big surface parking lot on the north end of the site, just south of the Lake Shore?
 
Northern Light said:
It would be a great space to do a centrally located man made beach.........

Plus some coastal wetlands in other pockets,,,,,,,,
Click to expand...
THIS!

One existing naturally formed beach. It can be extended around the west end of the island. The view is superlative.

1549900172891.png

(taken by me on cheap cell phone)
 
Last edited:
W.K. Lis, I realize the new Ellington LRT will make it much easier to get to the Science Centre and also to the Aga Khan museum but I still think Ontario Place is a better site. The new relief line won’t be completed for at least another decade and the downtown core has so much more to offer tourists than Don Mills. I know I’m probably flogging a dead horse and it sounds like the province wants to unload the OP site at least in part, to a private entity but I still think it’s a great idea.
 
It would be cool to see a Museum/Centre of the Moving Image built around the Cinesphere. It would incorporate the history of cinema and space to develop new techniques/technologies for the film and animation industry. It would be neat to have a specialist High School exposing kids to the whole range of skills around the film industry.
 
AnnetteMeetsJane said:
It would be cool to see a Museum/Centre of the Moving Image built around the Cinesphere. It would incorporate the history of cinema and space to develop new techniques/technologies for the film and animation industry. It would be neat to have a specialist High School exposing kids to the whole range of skills around the film industry.
Click to expand...
The upside to this is that funding and assistance for that could be forthcoming from Toronto's film biz, and TIFF could be involved even further than they are now using Cinesphere for some showings.

Btw: I mispent part of my youth growing up two blocks away from Jane and Annette.
 
JasonParis said:
That just means a big top tent tent on the parking lot for a few months, non?
Click to expand...
Exactly, the same as what Cirque de Soleil did here for years before relocating to the Port Lands for a few summers.

42
 
You must log in or register to post here.

Back
Top