In 1969/1971 the Science Centre and Ontario Place were mindblowingly cutting edge facilities...real benchmarks for interactive combinations of technology, architecture, education and fun.

It was the pre computer/ ADD / obese children age.

I don't think you can duplicate these things any more. Sad, but true I think.
 
pw20 said:
"The brickworks are walking distance for many people, there's a bus that takes you there from Rosedale Station, another one from Davisville, it's easily walkable to from Castle Frank, and there's a shuttle from Broadview."

Are the "people" who live in Thorncliffe Park, and Flemingdon not people? Cause they can walk to the science centre... there are often times too many comments on this forum that really highlight how mildly elitest and downtown centric this forum can sometimes be... this one wings that comment of the week.
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Note: my previous Thorncliffe/Flemingdon comment was probably just as much an implicit critique of downtowncentric elitism. It's no problem for *me* getting there; but who knows how much for others, it's like having to traverse a whole lotta ghetto to get to Chicago's Science Museum...
 
I think OSC is fine where it is. Wonderland is even further, and it does fantastic! We just need to revitalize OSC a bit. Make it better. I think having some attractions a little further away from downtown is a good thing.
 
^ I also wish Wonderland was more accessible.

I didn't say the Science Centre should be moved, I said it would probably benefit from being closer/more accessible by transit to the downtown and it would be more convenient for me. I never said it should be moved. I like the buildings it's in.

Out of curiosity where is the YUS extension going to in Vaughan? Would there be some sort of shuttle from the subway station to the park?
 
I should also throw this out there, I've been too many science centers throughout the world and the one in Toronto really ranks near the top in terms of interactivity. Now the one in London is still my favorite but its far less interactive.

If only they can refer some of the older halls I think it'd be great again.
 
The_Architect said:
^ I also wish Wonderland was more accessible.

I didn't say the Science Centre should be moved, I said it would probably benefit from being closer/more accessible by transit to the downtown and it would be more convenient for me. I never said it should be moved. I like the buildings it's in.

Out of curiosity where is the YUS extension going to in Vaughan? Would there be some sort of shuttle from the subway station to the park?
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The extension is going to Jane/Hwy7 (or close to it). I haven't heard anything, but considering how close the stop is to Wonderland, it would be silly to not have a regular shuttle going back and forth during the summer.
 
Who goes for a stroll and thinks, ' I know, I'll pop into the Science Centre to learn about static electricity'? It's sort of a destination attraction to start with, I would think.
 
As a science centre more on the technology museum side the Deutsches Museums in Munich is just kick-ass.

When I was a kid I found the interplay of forms and landscapes and structures at Ontario place, the Toronto Zoo, and the Science Centre just mesmerizing.
 
Town Hall Meeting:
John Tory, Chair of the Minister's Advisory Panel on Ontario Place Revitalization, will hold the town hall to ask a series of questions on how Ontario Place can become a year-round destination of choice for a diverse array of residents and visitors. These discussions will help the panel develop its report to government on the redevelopment of Ontario Place.

Date: Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre

South Building, Room 801

222 Bremner Blvd.

Toronto

Ontarians can also participate by:

Visiting ontario.ca/myontarioplace or by calling 416-212-7192 to submit ideas and suggestions.
Streaming the town hall live and joining the discussion online.
Following the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #OPtownhall on the night of the event.
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RC8 said:
The brickworks are walking distance for many people, there's a bus that takes you there from Rosedale Station, another one from Davisville, it's easily walkable to from Castle Frank, and there's a shuttle from Broadview.
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The 28A from Davisville only runs Saturday/Sunday, I don't know what Rosedale bus you're on about unless you mean taking the Belt Line Trail from the 82 stop at Chorley Park (which is fine, if you're fully ambulatory and wearing hiking clothes) and it's 1400m+ from Castle Frank which presumably includes a substantial vertical component given where CF is and where DVBW is.
 
And likewise, not everybody bikes--and of those to do, the "vertical component" may likewise factor into a trip there being daunting...
 
There was a Landscape Architect on the CBC this morning talking about putting residential development at Ontario Place. There are three reasons why I think that is a bad idea.

1. There are already tons of developable lands in the core than needs to be developed first. If Ontario Place is brought into the mix it will delay development of the Eastern Bayfront and the Portlands, not to mention at a broader scale Etobicoke Centre and Scarborough Centre. If Ontario Place is going to be residential (or mixed–use) it needs to be phased until all those other locations are largely built-out. That will be probably not be for 20 or 30 years.

2. The City and the Province needs a large and somewhat isolated space to hold events like the Exhibition, The Indy, Caribana and other large, loud, crowded events. If Ontario Place has residential development on it - it won’t be long before residents start complaining and those big events will have to move. In addition I suspect that development will start to creep into Exhibition Place. There is already a hotel proposed and the western end, near the Dufferin Gate is very under-utilized. Eventually Exhibition place is going to get crowded down to a small core area, so Ontario Place may become the only home for many of those large events.

3. Ontario Place is a provincial asset. It’s not there to be a local neighbourhood, or regional park. It’s intended to be a place for all Ontarians to enjoy. It needs to be big and spectacular, and showcase everything that Ontario is. If the Province needs money to revitalize OP I would support the concept of consolidating their Toronto assets. Sell the OSC site for redevelopment and rebuild a new science center at Ontario Place.
 
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An event I went to last night talked about a potential for a Great Lakes Water Institute, sorta like MARs but for water.
 
400Wellington:

I thought we already have one in Burlington? Besides, I highly doubt that the Feds will be putting money into it, considering they've just closed a lacustrine research centre up north.

AoD
 
Statement issued June 6 by Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport:

"In February I established an Advisory Panel led by John Tory and respected community leaders to provide our government with strategic advice as we move forward to full transformation of Ontario Place.

As part of its consultative work, the Advisory Panel considered the question of building a casino on the Ontario Place site. In a letter delivered to me yesterday, Mr. Tory advised that the Advisory Panel recommends against building a casino at Ontario Place.

On behalf of the McGuinty government, I have accepted the Panel's recommendation. When a Request for Qualifications is issued to the international community later this year, we will ask that submissions address parkland, commercial, retail, residential, recreation and entertainment uses for the Ontario Place site -- not a casino.

A new Ontario Place is part of the McGuinty government's plan to grow tourism through investments that will stimulate Ontario's economy, create jobs, and develop exciting new opportunities and experiences."
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