One would think that the Millennium Park comparison isn't apt because Ontario Place isn't in the middle of a thriving downtown but the more I think about it, the more good comparisons I draw.
The three highlights of Millennium Park are:
1 - The Pritzker Pavillion
2 - Crown Fountain
3 - Art (i.e. Cloud Gate)
All of these are relatable to Ontario Place.
1 - There's been talk about reviving the Forum or redeveloping the Molson Amphitheatre as part of the Ontario Place revitalization. Frank Gehry is becoming aware that he's in the final chapters of his life and has become somewhat obsessed with leaving a mark in Toronto. The Mirvish towers aside, this would be an excellent opportunity for him. A Gehryesque stage with a great lawn would fit perfectly into the new Ontario Place and create an icon on Toronto's waterfront.
2 - In recent years, Ontario Place has been mostly known and used for its water park. Commissioning an artist to design a grand fountain that allows children and adult to splash around on hot summer days and remain interesting in snowy weather using LED lighting or other modern architecture sounds like a project for United Visual Artists. Again, also very much in tune with Ontario Place's aspiring role and position in the city.
3 - Art. I don't want somebody to go out and commission Anish Kapoor to build us a copycat shiny bean, Toronto has plenty of world famous artists that could make something truly memorable. In fact, scatter plenty of artwork around Ontario Place and make it into an art destination in of itself. Perhaps the AGO (Art Gallery of
Ontario) or the
Ontario College of Art & Design could rotate student exhibitions around the park.
With those 3 established goals met, I think we'd be well on our way to mimicking Millennium Park's success.
As for the pods and the Cinesphere, I can't think of a better new home for the
Ontario Science Centre. You've got the world's first IMAX (and one of the largest) screens already in place. There's plenty of room in the pods for exhibit space and it would get a downtown location that would revitalize the Science Centre and bring it a steady stream of tourist visitors, not just school field trips.
Somebody get me John Tory on the phone!