Well here's the thing, how often do locals complain about tourists? Fact is, quite often. If a space is usurped by tourists, it's probably not going to be frequented by locals. A fine example is Victoria Park beside Niagara Falls, which was originally built with the intent of providing green space for citizens. No one from Niagara Falls goes to Victoria Park. It's a space that people avoid for the sole reason that it's where tourists are. Another example, take the Champs de Mars in Paris or Trafalgar Square in London. Those are both pleasant public spaces that the Parisiens and Londoners never go to. All of these public spaces have something in common: they're beside important tourist attractions. It's the exact issue that occurs with the space around the CN Tower. The locals have decided there are countless other spaces they can use where they don't have to be bothered.

In this city, the only public space with a blurred distinction is perhaps Dundas Square, but I think that's because shopping is the equalizer. If Dundas Square or its surroundings were true tourist destinations, you'd like have trouble finding a Torontonian in the square.
 
My problem w/tourists isn't re usurping space so much as clogging up space, eg. their being absolute slow-witted dunderheads re the escalator "walk left/stand right" rule of thumb...
 
adma said:
My problem w/tourists isn't re usurping space so much as clogging up space, eg. their being absolute slow-witted dunderheads re the escalator "walk left/stand right" rule of thumb...
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Unfortunately Rules of Thumb are generally unknown to tourists (or new-comers). As the TTC removed all the signs (Stand Right) in the name of 'safety' a year or so ago I really don't think you can blame tourists for not knowing what is a very sensible idea!.
 
DSC said:
Unfortunately Rules of Thumb are generally unknown to tourists (or new-comers). As the TTC removed all the signs (Stand Right) in the name of 'safety' a year or so ago I really don't think you can blame tourists for not knowing what is a very sensible idea!.
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And unfortunately, too many Torontotians themselves are the worst offenders of using escalators. I always feel like tossing people over the side when they just stand and block both sides. Or stop as they get off and start sightseeing as you plow right into them.
 
There's a learning curve and it occurs in every city. There's nothing wrong with it and odds are every one of us is guilty of doing things like "walk left, stand right" in other cities we've visited. There are unwritten rules everywhere and that's just the nature of tourism, and is a huge part of why we like going to different places. If rules were universal, it'd be a pretty boring world.

Also consider that a lot of places don't have escalators. Seriously. In Welland, a city of 50,000 people, there isn't one escalator in the city. And in the entire Niagara Region, I probably could count the number of escalators on one hand (and those would probably be at the Casino in Niagara Falls). So how would someone from Welland know the rules? Fact is, they don't. When my parents and grandparents come to visit they have no clue unless we tell them.

If anything, be glad that people want to come to this city. If it means you have to stand for a few seconds longer than you want, then so be it.
 
savevp said:
True. Although I got tickets to the game this saturday and the place is practically sold out. I believe I got the last tickets available in my section :cool:
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Bigger crowd than usual....yes......but far from being sold out...quite far.
 
This morning community council approved staff recommendations regarding the OP & zoning by-law amendments. Not one public deputation though. The final step is City Council's blessing on July 7/8.
 
MileHigh said:
IMO an aquarium in Toronto would be a fantastic idea. Toronto needs another year round attraction other than the CN Tower
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Bull - Toronto has plenty of attractions - what it doesn't need is a Niagara Falls esque, cookie cutter, just another, copy cat, aquarium. If your going to do an aquarium (or any other major attraction) - make it unique or don't waste our time and property.

MileHigh said:
I’d definitely frequent this destination.
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i'll bet you dont go more than twice.
 
stunnaman said:
14,000sqm is a pretty hack aquarium these days. They need to double it at least to make it worthwhile.
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Hack? Really?

Atlanta = 550,000 sq. ft.
Chicago = 422,000 sq. ft.
Monterey Bay = 322,000 sq. ft
Tampa Bay = 250,000 sq. ft.
Long Beach = 157,000 sq. ft.
Toronto (Ripley's) = 150,000 sq. ft.
Gatlinburg (Ripley's) = 115,000 sq. ft.
Vancouver = 100,000 sq. ft.
Myrtle Beach (Ripley's) = 85,000 sq. ft.
Newport = 80,000 sq. ft.
Boston = 74,000 sq. ft.
San Francisco = 65,000 sq. ft.
Seattle = 50,000 sq. ft.
 
I'd be all for a larger aquarium. But who even knows if this one will do well? Maybe they can expand it later?
 
It will be built in two phases as it is. Phase one is 9,400 sq. m, and Phase two is 5,000 sq. m.
 
Atlanta = 550,000 sq. ft.
Chicago = 422,000 sq. ft.
Monterey Bay = 322,000 sq. ft
Baltimore = 273,500 sq. ft.
Tampa Bay = 250,000 sq. ft.
Long Beach = 157,000 sq. ft.
Gatlinburg (Ripley's) = 115,000 sq. ft.
Toronto Phase One (Ripley's) = 101,000 sq. ft.
Vancouver = 100,000 sq. ft.
Myrtle Beach (Ripley's) = 85,000 sq. ft.
Newport = 80,000 sq. ft.
Boston = 74,000 sq. ft.
San Francisco = 65,000 sq. ft.
Seattle = 50,000 sq. ft.
Click to expand...

I added in Baltimore's National Aquarium above... and I reduced Toronto's to the initial phase size. I'm a little underwhelmed too: even at full size of 150,000 square feet, this aquarium will be chump change compared to the fantastic ones in Baltimore, Chicago, and Monterey (I have not been to Atlanta's).

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