actuelle. version version. la pour current for original publisher l’éditeur

ontariooriginal place

consulter revitalization consult MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT Veuillez Please purposes. d’archivage. fins archive des à for Copy Copie

place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 JULY 2012 a new focal point for our province.... a new attitude to our lakeactuelle. - version version. la pour fronts....current for a new showoriginal - “ publisher l’éditeur

case fororiginal our consulter consult

provinceVeuillez and people.”Please purposes. d’archivage.

The Honourable fins archive des à Countdown Receptionfor and Tour , November 3, 1970 Copy Copie

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 executive summary 2

contents time for change 5

1 A rediscovered waterfront 8 New neighbours — and new visitors 9 An evolving visitor base 10 An increasingly competitive leisure landscape 11 New realities, new opportunities 12 actuelle. The time for action 13

version a place to connect version. ontariola LIVE, WORK, play and discover at the water’s edge 15

pour 2 current Live: Welcoming new residents to the water’s edge 16 for Work: Supporting local businesses and creating jobs 19

original Play: Exploring Ontario’s new backyard 21 Discover: Growing made-in-Ontario ideas 23 publisher

l’éditeur your ontario, your ontario place designing a NEW public realm 26 original

consulter 3 Accessibility: Opening the park to its full potential 27 consult Interaction: Creating fixed and flexible features to bring people together 30 Sustainability: Our green future; our connections to the past placeVeuillez 32 Please The cost of investing in public space 34 doing more with more exploring potential partnerships 36 purposes. d’archivage.

fins 4 Broadening the campus 38 archive

des Building a legacy 40 à for Leveraging our arts, culture and sports 43 Making the link 45 Copy Copie

conclusion 48

recommendations 51

appendices 52

minister’s advisory panel 55

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 letter from the chair

Dear Minister Chan, All of these ideas, insights and areas of expertise have been instrumental in helping us put together our report — and have provided us with an excellent context for our discussions on how Thank you for inviting me to chair the Minister’s Advisory Panel on Ontario Place Revitalization. best to renew Ontario Place. This is a critical time for Ontario Place as we determine the best way to transform this cherished landmark. What we offer for your consideration is a new model for Ontario Place that is a significant departure from the summer-only amusement park attraction of years past. We propose a new Ontario Place that is actuelle. As chair I welcome the opportunity to present the ideas contained in the panel’s report and our open year-round and provides open access to the waterfront — where a significant portion of the site is recommended new vision for Ontario Place. parkland for individuals and families to gather and enjoy the area’s natural surroundings and sweeping version version. views of . la In this report we provide a new course of action for Ontario Place — a new direction that will bring pour Ontario Place into the twenty-firstcurrent century and over time create a new iconic public park that The new model of Ontario Place also takes into consideration a new set of financial realities and respon- celebrates its connection tofor the waterfront of Lake Ontario. sibilities. The new Ontario Place must leverage a wide range of public and private partnerships to ensure

original it is financially sustainable and operates efficiently. A range of revenue streams should be encouraged to Our work over the past five months has been greatly assisted by previous research and consul- fund its development as well as finance its ongoing operations. publisher

tations, as well as presentationsl’éditeur by stakeholders to the panel. This input has provided us with keen insight into the significant challenges Ontario Place has faced over the years, from declining We invite you to read the full report and the series of concrete recommendations — 18 in total — as well

1 original attendance levels and revenues, to infrastructure repairs, to issues of accessibility. as the next steps the government must take to ensure the success of the revitalization project. Our aim with this report is to guide government in creating a roadmap for this important revitalization project as consulter well as provide a framework to inspire world-class ideas from Canadian and international organizations We also heard directly from consult the people of Ontario through the many submissions received online and at the panel’s public town hall, which included an Ontario-wide webcast. People from across on how to use their ingenuity and creativity to revitalize this important waterfront destination. Veuillez

Ontario — Sault Ste. Marie, Gravenhurst,Please Manatoulin Island, Peterborough, St. Catharines, Ottawa and the — all contributed their boundless ideas. I would like to conclude by saying on behalf of myself and the panel that it has been an honour to par- ticipate in this stage of the Ontario Place revitalization project. We would also like to thank the many pre- senters, partners, communities and individuals who contributed so generously their expertise and ideas.

People care deeply about Ontariopurposes. Place and would like this landmark destination to be a vibrant d’archivage. hub of activity once again. It is very clear to the panel that there is tremendous potential in fins Ontario Place to be an exceptional space that better reflects the dynamic province in which we We look forward to hearing from you about our report and the recommendations and new vision archive des for Ontario Place contained within.

live. With more than 155 acresà of land-water lot property, it is an incredible site that commands a for majestic view of Lake Ontario and the city of Toronto. Sincerely, Copy Copie We are seeing remarkable and inspiring projects in Canada and around the world in which cit- ies are revitalizing their parks and waterfronts — examples the panel drew from included on Toronto’s waterfront, Vancouver’s Granville Island, Chicago’s Millennium Park, and the eco-friendly waterfront community of Barangaroo, Australia. These urban spaces as well as many others have been great sources of inspiration to the panel and practical examples to help us understand the range of costs involved in transforming public spaces. | Chair of the Ontario Place Revitalization Panel

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 executive summary

When Ontario Place first opened its gates in 1971, it was What we offer in this report is a departure from the a unique destination that generated buzz and excitement Ontario Place of the recent past. We recommend a new from the people of Ontario. It was “a new showcase…. course of action that will attract the critical mass of visi- a new focal point….a new attitude to our lakefronts.” tors, residents and workers required to turn the site into

actuelle. a cornerstone of the redevelopment of Lake Ontario’s The Honourable John Robarts delivered these words 41 waterfront. version

version. years ago; the Premier’s description still resonates today la as inspiration for the work the Minister’s Advisory Panel Over the past five months, the panel has worked diligently pour current undertook to inject new vitality and vibrancy into Ontario to prepare a report that lays out a path for the transforma-

for Place, and in so doing return it to its position as of one of tion of Ontario Place. Our work has clustered around three original the province’s most compelling and important assets. sets of activities. publisher

l’éditeur The panel came together to provide advice to the Govern- First, we looked at an extensive range of past studies and

original ment of Ontario on how best to capitalize on the enor- analyses that provided a framework and a foundation for 2

consulter mous potential the Ontario Place site still holds. At the our discussions. Second, we leveraged the expertise and

consult same time, we focused our work on ensuring that the experience of the panel members to garner additional insights and ideas. Finally, we have had a remarkable Veuillez project’s next era learns from — and adapts to — four key

Please trends we believe have fundamentally transformed the opportunity to hear directly from the people of Ontario communities around Ontario Place and the province itself at a public town hall we held this past June and through over the last four decades: dozens of submissions and presentations by stakeholders purposes. d’archivage. made directly to the panel itself. fins 1. Significant redevelopment projects are transforming archive des

à This much is clear: there is no shortage of creative and for Toronto’s waterfront. 2. Tens of thousands of residents now live in bold ideas. People care deeply about the future of On- Copy Copie neighbourhoods around Ontario Place. tario Place — and how this important asset will evolve and 3. The province’s population has grown and become be used by generations to come. The challenge is to move more diverse and older. beyond their hopes to a concrete set of recommendations 4. The past few decades have seen an enormous increase that can serve as a roadmap to the revitalization efforts in the number of recreational and leisure options about to be undertaken by this government and a wide available to Ontarians and visitors. range of partners from the public, private and not-for- profit sectors.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 ontario place needs to change

Creating a new public park We would also like to see a central gathering area A new era of collaboration — for all to enjoy — much like the original Forum — for concerts and theatre performances, local festivals and community These new anchor tenants are catalysts for change, We believe that Ontario Place should be a destina- fiestas. This venue should be designed to operate a way to spark new beginnings and add energy, tion that all Ontarians — as well as visitors from throughout the year, and in so doing help liberate excitement and innovation to the new Ontario Place. across Canada and abroad — can enjoy. Ontario Place from its previous identity as a strictly They are also an essential part of shifting the way actuelle. It should be an emblematic asset that represents the entire summer destination. we design, build, fund and operate the site.

province, from its arts version and culture, to its entrepre- version. neurship, to its education,la and to its natural beauty. Live, work, play AND DISCOVER This shift must include a move away from the iden-

pour on the waterfront tity of Ontario Place as primarily a public sector current entity. The renewed Ontario Place can only become Since Ontario Place for occupies a unique physical

location, we recommendoriginal using the redevelopment To bring a critical mass of people and street- financially sustainable and operationally efficient process to open up the city’s western waterfront level excitement to the waterfront, we believe the by leveraging the investments and expertise of the publisher

and make it accessiblel’éditeur to all every day of the year. renewed Ontario Place should be designed as a private sector. Moreover, the majority of the site should be park- mixed-use area for EVERYONE to enjoy. This new site

3 original land — where people gather any time to enjoy the layout would include residential buildings — not a From transit and infrastructure to arts and culture, area’s natural surroundingsconsulter and sweeping views of wall of high-rises that block access and sightlines to the elements required to make Ontario Place a suc- consult Lake Ontario and the city. the water, but appropriately-sized buildings that are cess can only come through leveraging a wide range Veuillez exceptionally designed and anchored by green build- of partnerships and collaborations. We need to Please A revitalized Ontario Place should be about a mix ing and sustainable architecture principles. encourage a much more diverse revenue stream — of park spaces that offer areas for reflection and which could include everything from living spaces to purposes. relaxation, as well asd’archivage. areas designed for active A mix of shops, artist studios and cafés would com- company offices, to private donations and corporate

community play (thinkfins splash pads, skating rinks plement the residences and inject energy into the sponsorships. archive and sports). Integrateddes within these green spaces community, as would a theatre, a hotel or entertain- à should be smaller pocketsfor that surprise and delight, ment venue. In order to help draw residents as well However, we do not believe that a casino should Copy from gardens to urbanCopie plazas, and from public art to as new commuters, we urge Ontario Place to pursue be among the attractions forming the core of the interpretative nature paths. a larger anchor tenant that would add year-round new Ontario Place. We believe that Ontario Place workers and bring business opportunities to the should be a destination that celebrates Ontario and new community. A learning or research facility would its exceptional culture, character and life. We shared bring students while delivering an economic boost to this recommendation with the Honourable Michael surrounding communities. Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport in early June — a recommendation he has already accepted.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’SE ADVISORY PANEL REPORTX | july 2012 ECUTIVE S — and it needs to change now.

Critical success factors In all that is designed for Ontario Place, there should for a new Ontario Place be a commitment to excellence and SUSTAINABILITY. We say be bold in creating new, urban features and In many of the studies and ideas we heard there developments but ensure that they complement the were three key principles that rose to the surface natural surroundings. Use sustainable materials and — principles that the panel believes are absolutely honour connections with the past — including the critical to the succeactuelle. ss of a new live, work, play, iconic and pods which we believe should DISCOVER area and the public realm that glues the be repurposed in a new Ontario Place. version version.

pieces together. Theyla are: accessibility, interaction and sustainability. What the future holds pour current for ACCESSIBILITY Ontario Place is at a crossroads. Based on atten- includesoriginal making Ontario Place barrier- free to people with wheelchairs and strollers, as well dance numbers, the site holds far less appeal than

as making areas ofpublisher the park for everyone to enjoy. it did 25 years ago — and whatever interest remains l’éditeur No one should have to pay admission to take in this is dropping fast: three million people visited Ontario extraordinary part oforiginal the waterfront. Sightlines to the Place each summer in the early 1980s and yet only 4 water should be enhancedconsulter and the natural beauty 327,774 people visited Ontario Place in 2010, a of the waterfront alsoconsult has to be easy to reach — and drop of 89 per cent. In order to avoid a slide into

access to and from theVeuillez area must be addressed in a irrelevance, Ontario Place needs to change — and it new Ontario Place. Please needs to change now. purposes. A new Ontario Place shouldd’archivage. foster INTERACTION — with Thankfully, through the ideas shared by Ontarians

festivals and creativefins programming throughout the and the insights gathered through our own analysis,

archive the panel believes that a renewed and revitalized park to draw differentdes audiences and showcase à Ontario’s arts and culture,for leading practices in en- Ontario Place is not only possible but imperative — vironmental sustainability and the province’s many and we believe the recommendations laid out in the Copy Copie business innovations. following pages will provide this government with everything it needs to begin a revitalization des- tined to transform the Lake Ontario waterfront for decades to come. ontario EXECUTIVE SUMMontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | julyAR 2012 Y place 1 time for change “It should be an exciting place, just as Ontario is an exciting and dynamic province. A place brimming with activity and vitality. It should be cosmopolitan to match

actuelle. the cosmopolitan personality of the people of Ontario.” version version.

la The Honourable John Robarts, Premier of Ontario, 1970 pour current for original ON MAY 22, 1971, ONTARIO PLACE OPENED ITS DOORS TO ONTARIO. publisher 1 l’éditeur In its first year, more than 2.3 million people from across 5 original the province and beyond came to experience the cutting- consulter

consult edge architecture, stunning waterfront and multiple enter-

Veuillez tainment options offered by this new venue on the shores Please of Lake Ontario. purposes. d’archivage.

fins Ontario Place was a statement of pride for the province archive des à for and provincial government. It reflected both a desire to Copy Copie showcase the province’s accomplishments and potential, and an understanding that Ontario needed a family- focused entertainment complex situated in the heart of the province’s largest lakefront city.

Archived Ontario Place Photos 1970s. When we look at Ontario Place today, 41 years after it opened, the site exists in a very different context. actuelle.

Original Ontario Place Site Model 1970| . version version. la pour current for

Visitors embracedoriginal the vision, and atten- When we look at Ontario Place today, forty

dance averagedpublisher more than three million one years after it opened, the site exists in

l’éditeur KEY TRENDS every summer into the early 1980s. For a very different context as a result of four original 6

a seasonal attraction,consulter this was a signifi- key trends. First, significant redevelopment 4

consult The WATERFRONT is CHANGING due to cant accomplishment. Visitors came to projects are transforming Toronto’s water-

Veuillez 1 significant redevelopment projects. enjoy the marina,Please grab a bite at the res- front, changing the look, feel and function taurants, have a drink on the outdoor of the surrounding area. Second, tens of Tens of thousands of residents now purposes. patios and take ind’archivage. a show at the Forum. thousands of residents are now living in fins 2 live in NEIGHBOURHOODS around

People came toarchive celebrate Ontario’s past neighbourhoods close to Ontario Place. des à

for Ontario Place. achievements and marvel at the iconic Third, due to demographic shifts, the prov- Copy Copie architecture and technology of tomorrow. ince’s population has grown and become Ontario’s population has GROWN and This included five pavilions suspended more diverse and older. Finally, the past 3 has become more DIVERSE and OLDER. as pods over Lake Ontario, and the Cine- few decades have seen recreation options sphere, which boasted the world’s first multiply — and leisure patterns dramati- There are more recreational and permanent IMAX® theatre and featured cally change as a result. 4 leisure OPTIONS today. made-in-Canada technology.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 Original Ontario Place Site Model 1970 | Archives of Ontario. 3,300,000 NUMBER of VISITORS to Ontario Place annually in the early 1980s.2 actuelle. version version. la pour current 3 327,774for NUMBER of VISITORS to Ontario Place in 2010. original publisher l’éditeur

7 original Taken together, these trends under- consulter

score the need consult to transform Ontario

Place to accommodateVeuillez its new real- Please ity in an ever-changing city. Ontario’s purposes.

current fiscal environmentd’archivage. suggests

that whatever transformationfins occurs archive des à will only be successfulfor and sustain- Copy able if it leveragesCopie the expertise, insight and capital of the private sector through new and innovative models of collaboration.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 A rediscovered waterfront actuelle. version version. la pour current for original publisher l’éditeur

original 8

consulter reconnect I n 1971, TorONTOconsult ’s waterfront was Since that time, the waterfront has that embrace this same philosophy, Veuillez

largely disconnectePlease d from the city changed dramatically. To the west, ranging from Vancouver’s Granville that surrounded it. Although vacant broad swathes of parkland lead the Island and Chicago’s Millennium purposes. shoreline aboundedd’archivage. — especially way into the city, while in the east, Park, to Louisville’s Waterfront Park fins archive

after the city des shifted its industrial new life is being breathed into the and New York’s Governors Island à port area tofor an outer harbour — resi- portlands through urban beaches, and the High Line. Copy dents struggledCopie to find ways to con- parks, corporate headquarters and nect with the water in a meaningful college campuses. Toronto is work- way. By showcasing the waterfront ing to combine urbanization, com- Ontario Place reminded in a new and innovative way, Ontario munity and natural beauty in new residents and visitors that Place reminded residents and visi- and compelling ways — part of a Toronto is a lakefront city. tors that Toronto is a lakefront city. global trend that includes projects ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 While the population in the immediate area has grown, New neighbours Today, the area has changed signifi- — and new visitors cantly. Growing communities house the availability of leisure thousands of new residents, in place of former industrial and commercial lands. and recreation space has When ontario place opened in 1971 res- The Liberty Village and Niagara commu- idential neighbouactuelle. rhoods existed only not kept pace with demand. nities have increased their population on the extreme east and west ends of 6 version version. by more than 50 per cent since 2006 the Toronto lakeFla RONT. Toronto’s cen- 7 and over 155 per cent since 1996. pour tral waterfront atcurrent this time was dotted with empty factoriesfor and warehouses original While the population in the immedi- — as a result of industries following

publisher ate area has grown, the availability of residents who werel’éditeur steadily moving to leisure and recreation space has not West Queen Trinity 9 cheaper land inoriginal the suburbs. kept pace with demand. This suggests Niagara consulter West

consult a transformed Ontario Place will be well Since the 1970s, major efforts have Veuillez positioned to serve a dual purpose of been made to revitalizePlease areas along attracting residents from across the Parkdale the waterfront and repurpose aban- province as well as visitors from a wide Liberty purposes. doned buildings. d’archivage. The conversion of range of proximate Village Queen’s Quay Terminalfins to a condo-

archive 4 des neighbourhoods — areas that were à minium and mallfor complex in 1983 5 less populated when Ontario Place first Copy and HarbourfrontCopie Centre in 1991 have opened its doors. helped to redefine the landscape of Toronto’s lakefront.

Ontario Place

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 Y ears old was the Y ears old is the % SENIOR population MEDIAN AGE MEDIAN AGE in in Ontario today 27 in Ontario in 1971. 41 Ontario today. 14 and growing.

An evolving visitor base Ontario has also become increasingly attended as a family, more than diverse and multicultural. In Ontario, double that number attended as part T oday, the median age in Ontario immigrants now make up nearly a of a group of friends. is 41 and the demactuelle. ographics of the third of the population and this pro- 8

version portion is expected to continue grow- Appealing to a younger demographic in province have sversion. hifted. For example, la 12 ing. The proportion of visible minori- 1971 made sense — the median age of 15 when we talk aboutpour family we’re no lon- current ties is projected to double by 2031 in Ontario residents was 27. Beginning in ger referring to justfor parents with young 13

original its second decade, Ontario Place intro- children. As well, the same generation almost all Ontario cities. A revitalized

publisher Ontario Place has the potential to at- duced a number of new features de-

that brought their l’éditeur kids to Ontario Place tract a wider and more diverse group of signed to attract more families, includ-

in the 1970s is approachingoriginal retirement 10 people with a new era of experiences ing the Bumper Boats in 1980, massive and thinking carefullyconsulter about how to

consult reconstruction of the west island and enjoy their retirement years. In its 2009 — offering an equally compelling leisure Veuillez 9 experience for all. Wilderness Adventure Ride in 1984 and study on Global Please Tourism Opportunities a water park in the 1990s. Despite a Deloitte Consulting identified the ag- redirected marketing approach towards purposes. ing population as d’archivage. an important growth In its early years, Ontario Place was pri-

fins families, visitor levels never approached market. In 1971 seniors represented marily a site enjoyed by Ontario’s young archive des

à the levels the site enjoyed in the

for people. A 1978 survey of visitor trends eight per cent of Ontario’s population. 16 revealed that almost half of the attend- 1970s and 1980s. Copy Today, the OntarioCopie senior population 10 stands at more than 14 per cent and ees were between 13 and 24, and near- A new Ontario Place has the it is projected that this decade will be ly 85 per cent of the visitors were under 14 opportunity to tap into and engage a the first time that there are more 40. While a quarter of the visitors 11 more diverse visitor base. seniors than children.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 CANA’ DA S WONDERLAND attracted

An increasingly competitive times the average annual attendance leisure landscape for Ontario Place over the past six years, and more than ten times the 20 When it opened, Ontario Place was 2010 count. actuelle. a unique entertainment venue that more10 visitors than Ontario x Place in 2010.21 version Ontario Place can no longer rely on its

stood alone asversion. a major draw for la visitors and residents alike. From historical distinction as the province’s pour current

its waterfront locationfor to its entertain- first landmark entertainment destina- ment variety, Ontariooriginal Place was able tion. What we can do is offer some-

publisher thing different by leveraging the site’s to leverage its uniquenessl’éditeur and its unique location and becoming a revi- 11 provincial identityoriginal to generate

enormous visitorconsulter interest. talized destination for current and consult future generations of visitors. Veuillez All of that beganPlease to change in 1981, 17 when Canada’s Wonderland opened purposes. and in 1986 Wildd’archivage. Water Kingdom fins archive launched its owndes version of a water- à for 18 based theme park. Both are focused Copy Copie on the same visitors that Ontario Place targeted and continue to attract large numbers of these visitors. Canada’s 19 Wonderland hosts nearly three million visitors each year — more than five

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 New realities, new opportunities clients. It need not always be solely in If the site had remained open as it currently 22 the public domain.” Given the current exists, it would have required an estimated As we reflect on how Toronto fiscal reality of the province, it is imper- $100 million in funding over the next five and Ontario have changed since ative that these words be considered years and several hundred million more in the 1970s, we areactuelle. also mindful of as we move forward towards a new infrastructure replacement funding over a

version 20 year period to bring the site up to a state

how the role oversion. f government has Ontario Place.

la 23 changed. Today, it is clear that of good repair. pour current

successfully revitalizingfor a provincial There is no doubt that Ontario Place asset like Ontariooriginal Place requires has enjoyed a long legacy as one of publisher

the creation of newl’éditeur partnerships our province’s flagship destinations;

with the privateoriginal sector. These part- however, as visitation has declined 12

nerships will notconsulter only open Ontario over the past three decades, the result consult Place to new expertise and new has been a steady decline in energy, Veuillez Service delivery should investments, butPlease also ensure that enthusiasm, interest and — perhaps taxpayer dollars remain devoted to most importantly — investments be moved as close and purposes. the highest-priorityd’archivage. public services. and revenues. We believe this is fins convenient as possible to archive des happening because the site is not à for As Don Drummond, Chair of the relevant today. Copy Copie the clients. It need not Commission on the Reform of Ontar- io’s Public Services, recently wrote in In addition to dwindling attendance, “always be solely in his February 2012 report: “Service areas of Ontario Place are starting to delivery should be moved as close show signs of age and are in need of the public domain.” and convenient as possible to the major maintenance and restoration. The Drummond Report | Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services. 2012.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 Considerable analysis has already been undertaken to identify the chal- lenges and opportunities that On- tario Place faces, and our work has greatly benefited from the insights and wisdom of those who came before.

“Ontario Place hasactuelle. a role to play as a

unique Ontario asset,version and we believe a new public backyard version. that a revitalizedla park will significantly pour current

boost tourism for in Ontario” — a conclu- f or all oNTARIANs. original sion shared by a 2010 tourism report, The time for action “Discovering Ontario:publisher A Report on the l’éditeur 24 Future of Tourism.” 1113 original this is the right time to reimagine the potential for consulter

consult Ontario Place. We are seeing changes along Toronto’s water- Moreover, we are convinced that a re- Veuillez front, new neighbourhoods emerging, a population that has development ofPlease Ontario Place has the increased and become more diverse and, more than ever, On- potential to act as an important eco-

purposes. tarians and visitors have an abundance of leisure alternatives nomic engine ford’archivage. both Toronto and the fins to choose from. Ontario Place requires a new purpose and archive

province. Early des estimates suggest that à

for vision to reflect today’s world as well as capture the legacy a new Ontario Place could generate Copy Copie of Ontario Place as “a new showcase for our province and hundreds of millions of dollars in direct people…. a new focal point for our province…. a place which and indirect economic benefits and tax 25 demonstrates a new attitude to our lakefronts.” revenues, as well as create thousands of new jobs.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 Ontario Place must be more than just an a new public amusement park. A new Ontario Place is about reconnecting Ontarians to Toronto and realt m tha should to the waterfront of their capital city, giving them access to enjoy the natural and cultur- be used by many al beauty of a province unlike any other.

It’s about showcaactuelle. sing Ontario’s rich cul- not just a few.

ture, innovative version design, green technology, version. arts and naturalla beauty — as part of a new pour community in whichcurrent residents can live, work, for

play and discoveroriginal businesses can grow and made-in-Ontario ideas can flourish. publisher l’éditeur

It’s about givinoriginal g all Ontarians a new public 1412 backyard to exploreconsulter . Creating a new public consult realm that should be used by many, not just Veuillez

a few, with significantPlease quantities of high- quality open parkland where people can purposes. gather any time ofd’archivage. the day and at any point of the year to enjoyfins the area’s natural sur- archive des à roundings. for Copy Copie It’s a new Ontario Place; a place where you can live, work, play and discover on the water’s edge. ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 a place to connect 2 Live, work, play and discover at the water’s edge

One way to breathe new life into Ontario Place is to live.work. PLAY.create new anDd excitinIgSC reasons forOVER people to visit. . live. work. play. discover., Historically, Ontario Place only attracted visitors in the summer actuelle. months and was only able to keep visitors on the site for a few hours. version version. la For the site to achieve its full potential, it must become a compel- pour current ling and frequent destination for a broader audience and also offer a for

original broader range of activities. To achieve this, the site needs to be trans- formed into a place where people come to live, work, play and discover publisher l’éditeur all year long.

15 original

consulter Ontario Place needs to attract a critical mass in order to become vi- consult

Veuillez brant and vital. This can only happen if Ontario Place has a strong set Please of anchor tenants that help define the area as a hub of activity, and establish the site as a new waterfront community. purposes. d’archivage. fins

archive They will serve as a cornerstone of the site’s physical des 1 à for The following sections outline the kind redevelopment and provide an invaluable VISUAL IDENTITY REFLECTIVE Copy Copie of features and amenities that a revital- OF ONTARIO’S RICH CULTURE. 2 They will serve as magnets for thousands of people needed for a new ized Ontario Place could include. These Ontario Place to become a true community — not just an attraction. facilities are designed to accomplish 3 They will help generate revenue that the Ontario Place redevelopment will require. three distinct but interrelated goals. Ontario Place will thrive as a waterfront destination, providing a place

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 for individuals to live, work, play and discover along the water’s edge. live. Welcoming new residents small segment of the vast 155 acre to the water’s edge combination land-water lot property — in fact, we recommend that only 10 Visitors provide energy and activity, to 15 per cent of the entire property actuelle. but residents form the foundation be used for residences.

version of any community. Given its unique version. la waterfront location, part of the pour current

for new Ontario Place could be home original to one of Toronto’s most beautiful a unique + special publisher l’éditeur and unique residential areas that place by the water.

original would offer around-the-clock energy 16

consulter Ontario Place requires to become consult a year-round destination. The new Veuillez

Please residential area and the residen- tial buildings on the site would be purposes. d’archivage. committed to design excellence, fins archive

des sustainability principles and sized à for appropriately. Copy Copie

It’s important to emphasize that with space devoted to a public park, any new housing would only occupy a

Darwin Waterfront, AUSTRALIA | Photo by HASSELL.

ontario place revitalizationMountain Dwellings, | CMINISTER’Sopenhagen, den ADVISORYmark | Photo PANELby Ulrik Jantzen REPORT and Jens | Lindhe.july 2012 Revenue from residential sales could be reinvested into the construction of the site’s public park.

In order to serve Ontario Place’s foun- There are several examples of water- Given the current fiscal climate, we need to find dational purpose, a height-appropriate front living that the Panel reviewed ways to fund the transformation of Ontario Place residential development must meet the as it prepared this report. The Selkirk — and preliminary estimates suggest that revenue 1 following criteria: Waterfront Community in Victoria, Brit- from a mixed-use development could be signifi- 4 ish Columbia is an award-winning testa- cant. The revenue generated from residential actuelle. | Design Excellence. The development ment to conservation in its use of site sales could be reinvested into the reconstruction version must be architecturallyversion. bold and compelling, materials and remnants as elements of and enhancement of the site’s public park — the la and showcase the kind of design excellence its overall design. dominant feature we believe must form the heart pour current

that must be foundfor throughout the entire of the new Ontario Place. This capital would off-

Ontario Place site. original The Darwin Waterfront is a thriving com- set some of the costs of revitalizing existing site

publisher munity in Australia that has won awards infrastructure, adding new public amenities and l’éditeur | SustAINAble Planning Principles. for excellence in architecture and land- creating a new urban park.

17 original 2 Design and construction must follow sustain- scaping. And in Sydney, Australia, a consulter

able building standardsconsult (for example, LEED complete transformation is underway

and BOMA BESt certifications),Veuillez in order to en- to create the revitalized community of Please Recommendation 1 sure that the ecological footprint of the site is Barangaroo, comprised of a mix of com- The new Ontario Place must be committed to design as modest as possible. mercial, residential and civic buildings purposes.

d’archivage. excellence in building, landscape and planning, as well with a focus on being carbon neutral, fins 3 as to creative sustainable principles — this means archive | Integration withdes the Natural water positive, and zero waste. ensuring a small ecological footprint in all that is developed. à Environment. for The project can only Copy succeed if it protectsCopie the integrity of the natural space and is consistent with the Recommendation 2 single most important principle — the Any new development must respect and enhance the preservation and enhancement of public natural beauty of the surroundings by improving access to the water’s edge. and protecting sightlines to the water, creating easy public access to the waterfront .

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 “ we do not recommend... X A Wall of High-Rise Buildings |We recommend Beyond its value as a residential op- Both Vancouver’s Granville Island Hotel residential buildings that are committed to design excellence, sustainability portunity, we believe that Ontario Place and New York City’s The Standard at the principles and sized appropriately. We are recommending against a wall of could also support a hotel and resort High Line are highly successful projects high-rise buildings that prevents views of the waterfront and disconnects that would bring thousands of visitors to that leverage and enhance the suc- Ontario Place from the rest of the city. the site for specific, multi-day visits — en- cess of their surrounding public spaces. actuelle. hanced by unique views of the city, access Granville Island has a three-storey bou- 10 to 15 per cent of the 155 acre property could be for residential development. Ideally the potential location of a new residential development would be the west island version to the water, andversion. the massive urban park tique hotel with just over 80 rooms with la (as illustrated in the sample map below). 5 surrounding its location. As in any new a view of False Creek and Vancouver. Shaded areas of green represent a mix of public space, business/retail and other entertainment facilities. pour current

development onfor the site, a hotel or resort The Standard sits atop the High Line

must ensure thatoriginal easy public access to near where 14th Street meets the

the water’s edgepublisher is preserved. If a hotel Hudson River. l’éditeur or resort could be designed with key sus- tainability principlesoriginal in mind — such as a What hotels and housing have in com- 18 consulter

reliance on renewableconsult energy and the use mon is a commitment to density. They

of repurposed orVeuillez reclaimed building mate- bring hundreds of people together in Please rials — it would embody Ontario’s commit- close proximity, the kind of traffic that ment to the green economy. In doing so, will animate the site; they support pro- purposes. the hotel or resortd’archivage. could become its own fessional and personal interactions and fins archive point of interest. des make neighbourhoods dynamic and Recommendation 3 à for diverse — these qualities are essential to Ontario Place should use a small portion of its Copy Combining an urbanCopie hotel with a unique the success of the new Ontario Place. 155 land-water lot property (10 to 15 per cent) for reclaimed public space has been explored residential development with buildings that in other jurisdictions; however, it would demonstrate design excellence, sustainability principles be a new approach for Toronto, one that and are sized appropriately. Ontario Place should also holds enormous potential based on the consider the feasibility of a hotel or resort. experience of other major global cities in Canada and abroad.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 work. Supporting local businesses park will animate the site and em- and creating jobs body the new character of Ontario Place. Creative and flexible cultural Urban neighbourhoods succeed when programming throughout the park actuelle. they have the commercial and social will bring new excitement to the area version

version. infrastructure that brings people out — something we explore further in la of their homes and into the streets,

pour the next section on designing a new current

for shops, galleries and restaurants. public realm. original

publisher Ontario Place needs to attract retail l’éditeur The new Ontario Place would also tenants that would serve both visitors 19 original be an ideal location for a major cor- consulter and residents. The area would be an porate or institutional anchor tenant consult ideal site for innovative and attractive

Veuillez that will attract related firms and Please retail spaces, performance venues, catalyze additional opportunities, all markets, art exhibitions and festivals while adding the energy that accom- purposes. d’archivage. — the kind of mix that embodies the

fins panies year-round workers. A good archive des best of Ontario’s economy and people. example of this concept in action is à for the MaRS Discovery District innova- Copy Copie A mix of shops and artist studios, res- tion centre with the Ontario Institute taurants and patios at the base of height-appropriate, sustainable residen- tial developments and throughout the

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 My new Ontario Place brings local businesses back to urban communities.” Public Town Hall Participant

for Cancer Research serving as a Chicago’s Millennium Park is an vital anchor. A similar process is excellent example of the potential already beginning around Corus economic impact of reimagined Quay, the new headquarters for spaces. The $490 million spent Corus Entertainmentactuelle. that was re- to create Millennium Park created version

cently built asversion. the anchor project 7,000 direct and indirect construc- la “in the revitalization of Toronto’s tion jobs, along with 7,000 induced pour current

eastern waterfront.for jobs. The five million annual visitors original to the park account for $1.4 billion

A revitalized Ontariopublisher Place should be l’éditeur of direct spending and $78 million in the home to entrepreneurs from all 6 original tax revenue. 20

sectors and indusconsulter tries. Moreover, the redevelopmentconsult process will The River Walk, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS| Photo by Drew Kolb/CC BY-NC 2.0. Veuillez . itself create aPlease burst of enormous economic activity. purposes. d’archivage. fins

archive Recommendation 4 des à “Why not for a year-round Ontario Place must be a place for people to work Copy Copie — not just visit or live. From corporate headquar- destination... like an indoor ters to cafés and shops, the redevelopment should farmer’s and artisan market?” include space for commerce and business. Public Email Comment

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 play. Exploring Ontario’s new backyard While research shows that there is not a market need for another dedi- From Millennium Park in Chicago to cated amusement park facility in the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, area, there is a gap for facilities that actuelle. great cities are defined by innova- operate year-round. There are many version

version. tive parks that combine natural examples of innovative year-round la beauty with a distinctly urban mix

pour entertainment or amusement activi- current

for of attractions — from educational ties that could potentially be part of original museums to inspiring galleries, and the new Ontario Place. Examples

Molson Amphitheatre, TORONTO | Photo bypublisher Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation. l’éditeur from lively sports stadiums to amaz- include year-round water resorts Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, OTTAWA | Photo by Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation. 2121 original ing amusement features. Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, OTTAWA | Photo by Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation. such as: the iconic Tropical Islands consulter Resort, an indoor tropical resort and consult The new Ontario Place should be Veuillez water park built inside a former air- Please no different. These types of devel- port hangar, located in Brandenburg, opments help generate revenue to Germany; and the City Museum in purposes. d’archivage. offset ongoing capital improvements

fins St. Louis, Missouri, known for its archive des and operating costs for the site’s surrealistic playful architecture. à for many varied public spaces. Copy Copie “Arts and culture, music and performance, food and drink. These are things I want to

experience at my new Ontario Place.”Public Town Hall Online Participant

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 Canadian tourists attend 4 in 10 musical, theatre or literary festivals.10 Music should continue to be a de- exists to expand on the current offer- fining element of the site and its ing of concerts. A new Ontario Place attractions — as it has been for the could have a pavilion that operates last 41 years. When Ontario Place year-round — a central gathering

opened its doorsactuelle. in 1971 one of the space like the original Forum for con-

most popular originalversion destinations certs, theatre performances, local version. was the Forum —la an outdoor concert festivals and community fiestas. pour venue which offeredcurrent both free and The Forum in 1970s, ONTARIO PLACE, TORONTO | Photo by Ontario Place Archives. for 8 paid concerts. Today,original the Amphithe- Any facility designed or repurposed

atre at Ontariopublisher Place continues to from the existing site must take into l’éditeur Recommendation 5 24 attract tens of thousands of visitors consideration all seasons as well original Ontario Place should have a venue — like the

a year, with overconsulter thirty events sched- as a range of cultural programs and 9 original Forum — for a range of cultural activi- uled for 2012.consult activities.

Veuillez ties, from concerts and theatre, to performances, Please festivals and community events. The new venue Despite the popularity of both ven- should be designed to operate year-round. purposes. ues, neither wasd’archivage. designed nor sup- fins

ported to attractarchive audiences outside des à of the park’s corefor May to September Recommendation 6 Copy season. Copie Ontario Place should look at a range of entertainment and cultural activities to infuse the community with Approximately four in 10 Canadian vibrancy — and generate revenue to offset the operating costs of the new public space. tourists attend musical, theatre or UBC Robson Square Skating Rink, VANCOUVER | Photo by T. Chang/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. 10 literary festivals, so a strong market

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 discover. Growing made-in-Ontario ideas a social and economic investment in the province’s future. Students add a vibrant pulse to any site. They guarantee a customer Several academic institutions have em-

actuelle. base for potential businesses, and braced the waterfront as they seek to expand draw visitors to see their in- their traditional campus footprint. Close to version they version. la novative research discoveries and home, has a new cam- pour current many achievements and talents. pus opening this fall on Toronto’s eastern for

original waterfront with an innovative health sciences

publisher Ontario has one of the most educat- education learning centre set against an in- l’éditeur ed, highly-motivated and innovative spiring view of Lake Ontario.

23 original

consulter workforces in the world. While On- consult tario Place would be an ideal setting South of the border, Cornell University is Veuillez

Please for a corporate anchor, it would also establishing a state-of-the-art applied sci- be an exceptional home for an edu- ences research campus on Roosevelt Island, purposes. d’archivage. cational or research institution — the between the New York City boroughs of Man- fins

archive kind of organization able to serve hattan and Queens — hundreds of miles from des à for both as an economic engine to the its “home” campus in Ithaca. In announcing Copy Copie local community, and a catalyst for the venture, Mayor Michael Bloomberg noted the vibrancy that accompanies any that the campus would bolster job creation student environment. Greater invest- in the city and may generate 600 spin-off ment in educational institutions is a companies and $23 billion in economic 7 activity over the next three decades.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 Greater “Let’s have a residency investment in Ontario Place has the potential to be a leader in promoting innovation and program at Ontario Place educational research. The site would lend itself to learn about people and to a permanent exposition of emerg-

institutionactuelle. s is a ing technologies and prototypes from things happening from

version Ontario’s colleges, universities and other parts of Ontario.” version. social andla industries. There are innovation parks Public Town Hall Participant pour current economicfor sprouting up around the globe; from original Innovation Park at Penn State to Mc-

publisher Master Innovation Park in Hamilton, investmentl’éditeur in Recommendation 7 these spaces help to transfer knowl- original Ontario Place should position itself as an 24

the provinceconsulter ’s edge from institutions to the market- ideal site for a research or education consult place and stimulate the economy. They centre for excellence and work diligently Veuillez

future. Please foster growth and can offer a place for to secure an institutional anchor tenant with the public to discover and interact with international repute. purposes. d’archivage. the products of tomorrow. An aerial view of the proposed NYC Tech Campus on Roosevelt Island | Photo illustration by Cornell. fins archive des à for Copy Copie Ao place t discover + interact with the products of tomorrow.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 The combination of live, work, play and discover will bring a new level of energy to the waterfront area.

The right mix of these elements could transform Toronto’s waterfront into a burgeoning hub of activity — a unique pulse point in the city that is a home to residents, an interesting place to work and draws visitors year-round. actuelle. we do not recommend the development of a casino at ontario version version. la place, a recommendation that has been accepted by the pour

current Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport this June. We believe for that Ontario Place should be a destination that celebrates original Ontario and its exceptional culture, character and life. publisher l’éditeur 25 With the multiple layers of uses and structures proposed in our original

consulter report, visitors and residents alike will find a very different

consult site — one that responds to their changing demands and desire

Veuillez to reconnect with Lake Ontario in new and exciting ways. Please purposes. d’archivage. we do not recommend... fins archive des X Casino | We are recommending against the development of a casino à for at Ontario Place — a recommendation that has been accepted by the Minis- ter of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Ontario Place should be a destination that Copy Copie celebrates Ontario and its exceptional culture, character and life.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 your ontario, your ontario place 3 designing a new public realm actuelle. version version. la pour current

for Throughout the 1970s, Ontario Place was a proud showcase for the Province original and a true flagship destination for Ontarians. Attendance was strong, people publisher

l’éditeur were interested and excited, and most of the park’s features — in particular, the

original Forum music venue, and the Cinesphere and IMAX® theatre — were being used 26 consulter to capacity. The 1979 season, for example, welcomed approximately 3,300,000 consult 1

Veuillez visitors to Ontario Place. Ontarians returned to “see, experience and feel the 2 Please Ontario personality” that the park was designed to evoke. purposes. d’archivage.

fins One of our main goals for revitalization is to once again connect Ontario Place archive des with all Ontarians. Regardless of what new development may be added to the à for site, Ontario Place should be considered an asset that belongs to all. Copy Copie

Wone str gly believe that a large portion of a new Ontario Place should be devoted to public space. And a new Ontario Place should be a year-round destination where everyone can find something to do. ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 “I remember the whole extended family (uncles, cousins, etcetera) going to Ontario Place and there were activities for everybody from 8 to 80. We need this kind of thing right now.” Public Town Hall Online Participant

To ensure that the fundamental “pub- 1 | Accessibility: Opening the | Physical Access — ensures that all lic” character of a new Ontario Place is park to its full potential members of the public have the abil- honoured and maintained, the panel’s ity to move freely and easily through- discussions centred on three core Accessibility is a fundamental out the site and to the edge of the principles: Accessibility, Interaction and actuelle. element to any successful public lake itself; Sustainability. These principles will help space. It is a key part of the plans to version version.

protect and strengthenla this public iden- revitalize Toronto’s eastern and cen- | ALL Season Access — entices

“tity and lead to thepour creation of an inclu- current tral waterfront and connect the lake

for visitors and residents to access the sive and impressive public presence at to the surrounding communities. And original site year-round; the heart of Ontario Place. it is a key theme that runs through publisher

l’éditeur many of the previous studies of On- | Demographic Access — creates 27 1. Accessibilityoriginal tario Place and the ideas submitted

consulter by stakeholders and community mem- amenities and attractions that ap-

2. Interactionconsult bers. Accordingly, accessibility has peal to Ontarians and visitors of all 3. SustainabilityVeuillez Please been a guiding principle for the panel ages and heritages; and as it reflected on the revitalization of Sherbourne Common, TORONTO | Photo by Waterfront Toronto. purposes. d’archivage. the site. | Natural Access — enhances the ur- fins archive

des ban character of Toronto through the à for In the Ontario Place context, ac- natural beauty of open green space. Copy Copie cessibility means many different things, including:

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 Physical Access will be ac- all season Access will come Demographic Access is Nt a ural Access will be complished by creating a site by transforming Ontario Place into about designing and building inescapably provided by the that is both easy to navigate and a site that can be enjoyed in differ- a space where visitors of all site’s unique location and the barrier-free. Whetheractuelle. by bike, on ent and exciting ways throughout ages and heritages can find intersection of water and land.

foot or public transportation,version On- the year. Ontarians and their visit- something of interest. Ideally, By prioritizing the natural land- version. tario Place needs tola work with ing friends and relatives should the public component of Ontario scape, the public character of pour municipal and provincialcurrent partners be able to visit the site each sea- Place will have something for Ontario Place will be matched for

to improve the physicaloriginal access son and take in the picturesque everyone to enjoy — from open with its environmental charac- to and from the site. In addition, landscape and beautiful views. All spaces to urban plazas, from ter to create a stunning space publisher more than 1.8 millionl’éditeur Ontarians season access is also important wild gardens to sports fields, unlike any other in the prov-

live with disabilities,original representing for the future of Ontario Place. We from food carts to sit-down ince. The new Ontario Place will 28 15.5 per cent of the consulter population believe that in order for the site bistros. Imagine a new Ontario make nature more accessible consult 3 to become self-sustaining, there or about one in sevenVeuillez Ontarians. Place as the province’s collec- to a larger crowd — and with Many older parts oPlease f Ontario Place need to be activities or sources of tive “backyard,” a gathering and Ontario having the lowest visits are difficult to get to for people revenue through the fall, win- celebration space where many per capita among the provinces purposes. with disabilities, thosed’archivage. with limited ter, spring and summer months. of the best leisure activities take to national parks, the province fins To achieve this vibrancy on the

mobility or familiesarchive with strollers. place. The key is to create a needs to make this kind of new des à This is unacceptablefor for a site that site and make the site an integral space that is inviting and makes park space available to the ur- 4 Copy will represent OntarioCopie and embody part of the city, we must focus on people excited to explore again ban population. openness. As a result, the panel providing a site where people are and again. is committed to ensuring that the living, working, playing and discov- new Ontario Place is a leader in ering throughout the year. barrier-free recreation. ontarioACCE place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 SSIBILITY open door.

open space. These four components of access are all indispensable — but so too is ensuring that cost does not prevent residents from visiting the public

actuelle. core of Ontario Place. Throughout most of its 41-year history, Ontario version

openversion. la Place has charged an admission fee Recommendation 8

pour Ontario Place and its waterfront must be current for visitors to gain access to the site. for accessible — an open door — and

original The panel believes that this practice has to change — visitors must have completely barrier-free to all who visit. publisher year-l’éditeur free access to the waterfront.

27 original

consulter Recommendation 9 consult By making the waterfront accessible,

Veuillez the site can become a lasting and Ontario Place needs to be open year-round, offer- rounPlease d. open link between land, water and ing compelling activities to draw a range of audi- this is the new sky that will welcome Ontarians and ences throughout the different seasons. purposes. ontario place. d’archivage. visitors alike to reconnect with the fins archive des natural beauty of the province. à for Copy Copie

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 Barrie Winterfest, BARRIE | Photo by Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation.

2 | Interaction: Creating fixed will allow the site to stay relevant to and flexible features to a wider audience and will allow On- bring people together tario Place to explore different uses over time.

We believe that Oactuelle. ntario Place

version Features alone do not breathe life

should be a placeversion. that engages la and inspires all who visit. Whether into a site — creative programming pour current is critical to bringing new excite- through iconicfor architecture, unique restaurants, brilliantoriginal sculptures, or a ment to the area and creating a

publisher lasting impression — much like majestic boardwalk,l’éditeur it is important programming did during the site’s that the site isoriginal meaningful, commit- 3028

ted to excellenceconsulter and connects with first decade. Ontario Place has consult people. Some features and assets many examples to draw inspiration Veuillez should be designedPlease to endure for from, such as: New York’s High Line, generations, becoming fixtures in the a public park built on an elevated purposes. landscape and symbolsd’archivage. of Ontario. freight rail line that invites artists fins archive But other featuresdes need to be flex- to display their art and engage with à ible and have thefor ability to change the design and architecture of the Copy with the seasonCopie s and over time, to area; and Vancouver’s Granville respond to different audiences and Island with its mix of festivals, street different interests. These features performers, musical shows and art should be able to be modified as in- exhibits throughout the year. sights and information are gathered from park visitors. This adaptability ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 Why not bring some Science Centre, some Biosphere and some A PLACE ROM into it? Have more fun, interactive exhibits, displays and more...” THAT Public Email Comment Creative programming is a way to show- concerts in the park to dance performances and case Ontario and engage with business- family festivals for younger audiences. Granville ENGAGES + es, food artisans, artists, musicians, Island, for example, hosts a number of festivals educators, architects, scientists and over the summer; their All Over the Map cultural

INSPIRESactuelle. ALL residents. Programming adds an impor- festival showcases dance and music groups from tant and essential dimension to the pub- across the province. version version. WHO VISIT.la “lic realm by transforming a place into an pour current experience that enriches those who visit. Digital connectivity is equally vital to modern- for izing Ontario Place. FROM original This could include educational exhibits We feel that a renewed On- and workshops, featuring anything from tario Place should explore methods of weaving publisher l’éditeur the art of constructing native birch bark leading-edge digital elements into the site. This

31 BUSINESSoriginal ES, canoes, like those still made at Fort Wil- will ensure that “self-service” programming fea- consulter

consult liam Historical Park, to the art of hand tures, such as interactive maps and smartphone

RESIDENTVeuillez S, blown glass making, which can be found applications, can both help Ontario Place stay Please in many artist shops throughout the fresh and relevant to new generations of tech- TOURISTS, Golden Horseshoe region. savvy visitors and assist in building an important purposes. d’archivage. online community that promotes and shares fins archive des A new Ontario Place could tap into the experiences with others. à ARTISTS,for incredible programming expertise of Copy Copie SCIENTISTS, Ontario’s leading cultural and science Recommendation 10 organizations — a notion we explore fur- Ontario Place needs to be flexible and better able ther in the next section of the report on EDUCATORS to adapt to changing times. It can do this through exploring potential partnerships — and creative programming that engages with visitors in showcase the province’s cultural excel- fresh, new ways; and new technologies that create + MORE. lence in a central gathering space, from connections with a tech-savvy generation of visitors. ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 3 | Sustainability: Our green ensuring the prudent use of natural future; our connections to the past resources, protecting the existing natural elements of the site, sup- This revitalization project is a once porting the use of sustainable meth-

actuelle. in a lifetime opportunity to create ods of transportation, and ensuring a space that will be used by gen- that any development takes into ac- version version. la erations and contribute to the social count the highest design standards pour current fabric of the province and the city. in energy efficiency and durability for

original The revitalized site should provide a (for example, LEED and BOMA BESt

publisher unique mix of elements, be a leader certifications). l’éditeur in environmental sustainability, and 32 original

consulter include innovative design elements new design elements consult that respect and celebrate the natural

Veuillez recognize and incorporate

Please beauty of the landscape. elements of the existing natural purposes. d’archivage. In order to highlight the natural beauty geography and landscape. fins of the site, the revitalization should archive des à for incorporate leading practices in envi- Copy Copie ronmental sustainability. These prac- Recommendation 11 tices can take many forms: ensuring Ontario Place must demonstrate leadership materials used in construction take in environmental sustainability and into account long-term sustainability, design excellence.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 The public realm aspect of the site We also recommend that all new should also incorporate innovative design elements recognize and incor- Recommendation 13 and new design elements, while re- porate elements of the existing natu- Future designs for Ontario Place specting and celebrating the history ral geography and landscape. Op- should explore ways to feasibly include

of the site. Theactuelle. most iconic symbol portunities to enhance sightlines to the iconic Cinesphere and pods.

of Ontario Placeversion is the Cinesphere, the water should be part of the future version. designed by renownedla Canadian master plan for a new Ontario Place. pour current

architect Eberhardfor Zeidler. It is

important that original Ontario place em-

brace and honopublisher ur the history of l’éditeur the site itself and its visionary 3133 original

legacy, which isconsulter why the panel is recommendingconsult that future designs Veuillez for the site explorePlease ways to feasibly As a child, I remember include the Cinesphere and pods. purposes. d’archivage.

fins how modern it was to see archive des à for Copy RecommendaCopie tion 12 the Cinesphere. It’s truly a Ontario Place should respect and celebrate the natural landscape as well as the symbol of innovation at historical connections with the site. “ that time. It is a public icon.” Public Email Comment

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 The cost of investing We were also able to study a wide including a sledding hill, soccer field, in public space range of urban park projects that of- lookout point, and a small amphithe- fered valuable insights into the kind atre. The ‘wet’ half is an urban prairie Just as there is a range of key prin- of projects that could be appropri- setting featuring meadows for ecologi-

ciples to consactuelle. ider when develop- ate for Ontario Place — and the cor- cal diversity. The cost of this multi-

ing a public parklanversion d project, so responding costs that would ensue. purpose park is estimated at $1 mil- version.

la 7 too is there a range of costs in- We specifically looked at projects lion per acre. pour current

volved in bufor ilding the parkland. across three distinct price points.

original In the middle of the cost range is Can-

publisher At the lower-cost end of public realm ada’s Sugar Beach, a two acre water-

With the help l’éditeur of preliminary analy- development is Don River Park, an front park that has transformed and sis from Infrastructureoriginal Ontario and 34 8

Bay AECOM, weconsulter gained a better un- 18 acre park being developed on an revitalized a former industrial area. 6 derstanding consult of the civil infrastruc- abandoned post-industrial site. It is The park features a sandy beach with Veuillez

ture costs involvedPlease — anywhere being converted into a versatile park chairs and brightly coloured umbrel- 5 from $30 million to $50 million. with sightlines of the Toronto skyline. las, a promenade, rock outcroppings, purposes. These estimatesd’archivage. include demoli- The 8.9 acre ‘dry’ half of the park grass mounds, a splash pad, mature fins archive

tion, site preparationdes and removal varies topography and woodland maple trees and a plaza for public à of existing services,for such as, sani- plants to create flexible spaces, performances. It is part of Waterfront Copy tary sewer, electrical,Copie existing path- Toronto’s LEED for Neighbourhood ways; the amount, however, does Waterfront Renewal: Don River Park, TORONTO | Photo by Waterfront Toronto Development GOLD plan for East Bay- not include costs associated with front, and designed around a number potential soil remediation. of sustainability goals and principles.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 * Development costs in millions of dollars.

* * * $ $ $ DON RIVER PARK - TORONTO M M per7 acre M An 18 acre park on an abandoned 20 per acre per1 acre post-industrial site.

millennium PARK - CHICAGO sUGAR BEACH - TORONTO A nearly 25 acre site that was formerly a

actuelle. A 2 acre waterfront park that has transformed dilapidated ground-level parking lot and rail yard. and revitalized a former industrial area. version version. la pour Park designers incorporatedcurrent recycled waterfront destination averages nearly five of Chicago as $2.45 billion from new construc- content in constructionfor materials, easy ac- million visitors a year who come to enjoy the tion near the park; over 14,000 direct, indirect original cess to public transportation and storage unique urban park and some of its main and induced jobs created by new construction in

publisher 13 14

for bicycles. Canada’sl’éditeur Sugar Beach was attractions including: the Jay Pritzker Pavil- the area and $1.29 billion in tourism dollars.

35 developed at a costoriginal of just over $7 million ion — home to the Grant Park Symphony

per acre and now offersconsulter the community an Orchestra and Music Festival; the Cloud As a sizeable land-water lot property of 155 acres

consult 9 active and vibrant social gathering space. Gate sculpture or “The Bean” as it has been (approximately 70 of which are land and the re- Veuillez

Please nicknamed; and the Crown Fountain which mainder water lots) the costs to revitalize Ontario At the higher-cost end is Chicago’s showcases the faces of Chicagoans as wa- Place are substantial. But so too is its potential. 10 purposes. Millennium Park, a nearlyd’archivage. 25 acre site ter flows down 50-foot glass block towers.

just off the shores offins Lake Michigan. In the previous sections, we have shown the ex- archive des à Conceived as a transformativefor project to While the final project total was $490 mil- citing, new direction Ontario Place can take. Now 11 Copy showcase Chicago’sCopie culture, it converted a lion (approximately $20 million per acre) we look at how to advance this new direction — former dilapidated ground-level parking lot — half of which was raised through indi- by building a new network of partnerships. In the 12 and rail yard into one of the world’s larg- vidual donors and corporate sponsorship following section, we examine ways to increase est “green roofs” covering two multi-level — Millennium Park plays a significant role in the potential for ongoing programming, as well parking lots (hosting a total of 4,000 cars) generating revenue for the City of Chicago. as innovative partnerships to finance the devel- and a commuter rail line. This unique An economic impact study released in 2011 opment of a large public space that is open and estimates the economic impact on the City accessible to all Ontarians.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 doing more with more 4 exploring potential partnershipspartnerships

This is a new eraactuelle. of collaboration. Around the world, govern- ments are experimenting with new ways of getting more done version version. by working with la partners — partners from civil society, from The government pour other levels of current government and from the private sector. for is committed original publisher

In Ontario, that determinationl’éditeur to work differently can be seen to forging

most recently inoriginal the 2012 Budget, where the government com- 36

consulter partnerships

mitted to identifyingconsult more effective and efficient delivery mech-

anisms — includVeuillez ing forging partnerships with a wide range of Please with a wide collaborators — in order to get the best and most cost-effec- purposes. tive results for taxpayers.d’archivage. range of fins archive des à Not only does thisfor shift in thinking create opportunities to en- collaborators. Copy gage with a hostCopie of partners, it also mirrors the view of Ontar- 1 ians across the province.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 the Ontario government The following section identifies four broad partnership opportunities we is exploring believe will help the new Ontario Place new achieve its full potential — partner- actuelle. ships that include: identifying syner- BROAD PARTNERSHIP

opportunitieversion s gies with key City of Toronto assets; version. OPPORTUNITIES la attracting and leveraging legacy in- pour to deliver current vestments by individuals and corpo- for 4 Identifying synergies with key CITY OF services original rate sponsors; cross-promoting and 1 TORONTO ASSETS. publisher leveraging the expertise of Ontario’s l’éditeur more arts, cultural and sporting institutions; 37 original Attracting LEGACY INVESTMENTS by

consulter and exploring new physical connection 2

consult individuals and corporate sponsors. efficiently points for public transportation. Veuillez and effectivelPlease y Leveraging the expertise of How well Ontario Place identifies and 3 ONTARIO’S ARTS, CULTURAL AND purposes. by anotherd’archivage. capitalizes on these potential partner-

fins SPORTING INSTITUTIONS.

archive ships — and many others — will deter- des à entity, suchfor as mine its ultimate success. The exam- Exploring new physical connection points for Copy Copie 4 not-for-profit ples we offer below should be seen as PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. the start of a long list of collaborations or private — collaborations that must become the sector priority of everyone responsible for tak- organizations. ing the site to its next level.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 , TORONTO | Photo by Exhibition Place.

Broadening the campus: Ontario Place and Exhibition Place are Partnering with Exhibition Place two parallel sites that respectively serve as landmark attractions for the Aocr ss the street from Ontario Place is Province and the City. Despite these Exhibition Place, one of Canada’s largest similarities, the two sites operate inde- actuelle. entertainment venues. For over a centu- pendently of one another. To capital- version ry, Exhibition Placeversion. has offered residents ize on the potential synergies that may la and visitors unique access to sports, edu- arise, Ontario Place and Exhibition Place pour current

cational, recreationalfor and cultural uses. need to increase their joint master plan-

original ning and partnership efforts.

A year-round entertainmentpublisher venue across l’éditeur 192 acres, Exhibition Place is home to a To the panel, the lack of connection and

original 38 wide array of popular events and attrac- coordination between the two entities is Given the sheer size of the two sites together — and consulter

tions including theconsult BMO field, the CNE a missed opportunity. When considered the unprecedented joint redevelopment potential 2

and the Ricoh Coliseum.Veuillez This impressive together, the two sites represent a large that could be realized through better integration Please array of assets is reflected in its atten- piece of land located on the shores of — we believe it is time for Ontario and the City of dance numbers: nearly 5.3 million peo- Lake Ontario just minutes from down- Toronto to explore the potential for a shared mas- purposes.

d’archivage. 3 ple a year pass through its gates. town Toronto. ter plan for the two facilities. fins archive des à for Copy Copie the lack of connection and coordination between the two entities is a missed opportunity.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 It’s a cluster of private-public partnerships. We really need to start thinking outside the box.” Public Town Hall Participant

The goal should not necessarily be | AttraCTINg global attention. Considering the potential outlined above, the a merger— previous partnership Together, a more integrated site would panel recommends that Ontario Place explore the discussions have ended twice in the potentially attract a critical mass of at- possibility of creating a shared development plan 4 last 15 years, We do believe, how- tention from investors and partners out- with Exhibition Place. With so much necessary

ever, that the timeactuelle. is right for the side the province — becoming one of the infrastructure benefiting both sites— from new

Province and the Cversion ity to recommit world’s leading waterfront revitalization land bridges to connect visitors across the vast version. “ la themselves to joint discussions projects with immeasurable potential. acreage, to new parking facilities for increased pour current it is with renewed vigour,for for at least traffic, to an integrated public transit plan—

three interrelated original reasons: vital that Ontario Place begin its transformation

publisher by reaching out first to its nearest neighbour. l’éditeur | Responding to fiscal constraints. 39 original

Given the fiscal challengesconsulter both govern- ments face, coordinatingconsult planning discus-

Veuillez 1

sions will avoid duplicationPlease and increase Recommendation 14 efficiencies in operations and logistics. Ontario Place and Exhibition Place should purposes. d’archivage. explore the potential for joint master

fins planning, shared access and archive

| Leveraging comdes plementary assets. à for transportation planning — to enrich the Each site has assets and advantages the Copy Copie 2 experience of visitors to both sites and expand other lacks: Ontario Place is surrounded the blueprint of a unique destination. by water and has proximate access to 1. EXHIBITION PLACE 2. ONTARIO PLACE parkland; Exhibition Place has extensive - Owned by the City of Toronto - Agency owned by the Province - Governed by Board of Directors - Governed by Board of Directors conference and sporting facilities, and ac- - 192 acres - 155 acres including water lots - Shares pedestrian bridges - Shares pedestrian bridges with cess to public transit. with Ontario Place Exhibition Place

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 examples of gifts donated | * In millions of dollars.

Building a legacy: The Ontario Place redevelopment comes at Attracting individual donors a time when funders across Canada have and corporate sponsors to a made a series of inspiring and impactful unique Ontario project gifts to organizations committed to trans- $ * actuelle. forming or enhancing public places: M 30

Families, individualversion s and corpora- version. la tions have a once in a lifetime op- * pour current centre for

portunity to makefor a lasting gift to $ M addiction original a new Ontario Place — to add their 20 and mental *

publisher health

signature to a revitalizedl’éditeur symbol $ the campbell family M ROYAL donated $30 million of the vibrant, dynamicoriginal province in 40 8 ONTARIO to the Centre for Ad- consulter * which we live. MUSEUM diction and Mental consult $ Tonhe West Family Health (CAMH). It is

Veuillez M Assiniboine & Garfield Weston the largest private Please 4 This is the time to explore charitable * Park Foundation donated Conservancy donation ever to a donations and corporate sponsor- $ $20 million hospital for mental In 2011, the Rich- to the Royal Ontario purposes. M d’archivage. The Evergreen health and addic- ardson Foundation 9 ships in Ontario. What unites indi- 1 Museum in 2004. tion research in fins Brick works and Hastings Family 10

archive in Toronto was fund- 7 Canada. vidual and companydes donors is their pledged $5 million à for ed with the help of a PARKS and $3 million 8 shared desire to find compelling proj- $3 million+ donation Copy Copie CANADA respectively, to the by Robin and David ects to support, to offer ideas and Marjorie LeDrew Assiniboine Park Con- Young and $1 million donated $1 Million to servancy in Winnipeg. insights as well as capital, and to + The on her donation by Koerner Foundation make a meaningful and recognized death, the largest ever among others.6 difference in their communities. private donation to the government agency. Her gift saw a new yurt campground on the shores of Cyprus Lake, Tobermory.5 ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 At the same time — and despite a Outside Canada, Chicago’s Millen- of the nearly $490M to build deep and prolonged recession — nium Park has been internationally Chicago’s Millennium Park Canadian corporations have also recognized as a model for the inno- % came from DONATIONS and demonstrated their increasing vative use of legacy gifts in develop- 12 11 SPONsORSHiPs. commitment to charitaactuelle. ble giving. ing its urban assets. Almost half of 50

As a case in point,version four institutions the nearly $490 million needed to version. and facilities in la the immediate develop the park came in privately

pour Major gifts of $20M or more have current

vicinity of Ontariofor Place have all or from the private sector. Landmark been donated to organizations

original 11 tapped philanthropic and corporate projects include the Harris Music across Canada since 2007. donations andpublisher sponsorships to help and Dance Theater, the Frank Gehry- l’éditeur 33 bridge funding gaps in delivering designed BP pedestrian bridge and 41 original 12

programming toconsulter the public: the Art the AT&T gate and plaza. Gallery of Ontario,consult the Royal Ontario Despite a deep and — Veuillez Museum, BMOPlease Field at Exhibition The public programming at Millenni- prolonged recession Place and the Four Seasons for um Park is also provided through ex- purposes. Performing Arts.d’archivage. tensive and generous support from Canadian corporations fins archive

des private and civic sector funders. have also demonstrated à for Target Corporation sponsors the their increasing Copy Copie summer-long Family Fun Festival, a highly successful series of events commitment to charitable giving.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 Millennium Park, CHICAGO| Photo by © City of Chicago / GRC.

that in 2010 drew close to 230,000 13 visitors. Daily activities include music and dance lessons, reading circles, art Recommendation 15 projects and gardening — all run by local To achieve its full potential, Ontario Place must

actuelle. institutions and suitable for all ages. become a more flexible model based on strong private-public partnerships. It can version version. la As the redevelopment of Ontario Place become an inspiring and exemplary new model for pour current gets underway, its leadership must learn future revitalization projects. for

original from the Millennium Park example as

publisher well as from the , l’éditeur the and other Recommendation 16

original 42 Funding for important Ontario Place should explore the potential for

consulter organizations.

consult public projects in many global cities individual donors and corporate sponsors

Veuillez to help invest in a shared legacy project along the

Please comes from multiple sources — not water of Lake Ontario. simply the public sector. This change is purposes. d’archivage. becoming Ontario’s reality as well — and fins must now become an instrumental part archive des à for of the future of Ontario Place. Copy Copie

Family Fun Festival at Millennium Park, Chicago sponsored by TARGET.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 Leveraging our arts, culture As a site well suited to serving as On- and sports: Using programming tario’s “landing pad,” Ontario Place to galvanize attendance needs to tap into as many of the prov- ince’s world-class events, festivals

actuelle. The natural environment of the new and organizations as possible — the

version Art Gallery of Ontario, ,

version. Ontario Place will offer quiet spaces la for picnics, recreation and reflection; the Ottawa Folk Festival, the Toronto Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival, TORONTO| Photo by Ontario Tourism Marketingpour Partnership Corporation. current

for however, it is public art and cultur- International Film Festival, the Ontario original al events and programming that Science Centre — the province is home

publisher to dozens of institutions and events l’éditeur will engage, enchant and attract visi- whose global reputation and profile is 43 original tors — and reinvent the public side of

consulter the facility time and time again every bit as strong as the strength of consult for visitors. their Ontario ties. Veuillez Please purposes. d’archivage. fins archive des à for Copy Copie

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 LUMINATO, TORONTO| Photo by LUMINATO. bring ontario to ontario place.

Aboriginal Experiences, OTTAWA | Photo by Ottawa Tourism. Ontario is also a great sporting province. The Pan/Parapan Games are coming to the Golden Horseshoe in 2015 and some of the games are

planned for alongactuelle. the lakeshore,

potentially includingversion areas of 14 version. la Canadian Open OId Time Fiddling Championship, SHELBURNE Ontario Place. | Photo by Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Competition. pour current for

It is this type of world-classoriginal event that Dragon Boat Festival, TORONTO Ontario Place shouldpublisher take advantage | Photo by Toronto International Dragon Boat. l’éditeur of — these kinds of partnerships will original 44

add a depth of experienceconsulter for visitors. consult Tulip Festival, OTTAWA

Veuillez | Photo by Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation.

The panel urgesPlease Ontario Place to reach out to the province’s leading This type of new programming to purposes. arts, cultural and’archivage. d sporting institu- showcase Ontario’s excellence and di- fins

archive versity will help maximize attendance

tions in order todes secure their sup-

à Recommendation 17 for port and learn from their expertise at the new Ontario Place, and give The many assets in Ontario’s arts, culture Copy Copie as well as position the site as a worthy partner institutions a new space in and sporting sectors should be destination for their shows, exhibits which to design their own installations leveraged at Ontario Place — to offer a venue and performances. and activities. that showcases Ontario’s cultural diversity.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 Making the link: Ontario Place must be better con- Ontario Place can better serve the critical Opportunities for improved nected to its proximate neigh- mass of vehicles by relocating its current public transportation bourhoods. These include Liberty ground level parking space into underground, Village, Queen West, Parkdale, Ron- above ground and/or to Exhibition Place.

For many peopleactuelle. , getting to Ontario cesvalles, Brockton Village, Niagara

version and Fort York. This means better

Place is not eaversion. sy — whether by bike, la on foot or public transit. access by bike and on foot. Toronto Transit Commission| Photo by Toronto Transit Commission. pour current for

This challenge —original and its accompany- Ontario Place is underserved by

publisher public transit. TTC streetcars and ing perception —l’éditeur must be addressed the GO Train do not go to Ontario 45 as quickly as possibleoriginal if the Ontario

Place redevelopmentconsulter plan is going Place. Streetcars go as far as Exhi- consult to succeed in its primary goal of bition Place, and the commuter GO Veuillez attracting a newPlease generation and a Train service provides access at the new demographic of visitors. This GO Exhibition station that is adjacent purposes. requires addressingd’archivage. three distinct to the streetcar loop. The only mode fins archive challenges: des of public transportation that goes à for directly to Ontario Place is the Duf- Copy Copie ferin Street bus — but this is only in TTCar streetc s and the summer season. GO Train| Photo by Go Transit. the GO train do not go to Ontario Place.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 Create direct transit access and make it easier for us to get there by foot or bike. ” Public Town Hall Online Participant

We see a number of options to im- Public transit linkage possibilities | Bay Consulting Group/AECOM 2011 prove the access required to gener- ate the crowds Ontario Place needs to attract: first, extend Dufferin Georgetown Expansion to Pearson Airport Link

Street further southactuelle. to provide direct New Fort York Station?

bus access to theversion area and extend version.

la Dufferin St. Streetcar ? “ the streetcar loop from Exhibition and Bus Extension? pour current New TTC LRT Branch? Place. Second,for create more north-

south pedestrianoriginal and cycling paths. Existing Exhibition Station

Finally, bicyclepublisher storage and rental ? l’éditeur Dufferin Street locations must grow — to encourage Extension? original

New TTC Streetcar Loop? riders to bring theirconsulter own bicycles, and to link to theconsult growing network of Veuillez

bicycle rentals.Please purposes. We understand d’archivage. that the current fins Ontario Place archive

fiscal situationdes of governments à across the countryfor means there is Copy limited funding Copie for new or enhanced transportation projects. But we also need to emphasise that improving Ontario Place could be reconnected to adjacent neighbourhoods through innovative and improved active transportation, public transit, connections ensures a more vibrant roadway links and trails. The sample map above illustrates potential new road and rail extentions (Bay /AECOM 2011). and prosperous site in the long-term.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 Recommendation 18 At the same time, a new live, work, In this day and age, no organization Working with the private sector and play, discover model for Ontario can succeed without a wide range provincial and municipal partners, Place will ensure a demand for of meaningful partnerships. This is Ontario Place should explore new public public transit year-round. Thank- especially true for an organization like transit opportunities to better access fully, there are some important ideas Ontario Place, which is emerging from the western lakeshore area.

currently being discussed,actuelle. including its traditional public sector identity ’s Waterfront West Light and morphing into an entity created version version. Rail Transit line inla its 25-year plan; with the input, insights, ideas and pour however, the linecurrent is unfunded at the resources of governments, cultural for

moment. original and other civic institutions, individual donors and private sector sponsors and publisher 47 The panel believesl’éditeur that Ontario investors — the type of partnerships Place will only prosperoriginal if it focuses that will help bring a critical mass of consulter

every bit as muchconsult on enhancing people to Ontario Place.

access as on increasingVeuillez attractive- Please ness. With this fact in mind, we urge If we seek these types of partnerships purposes. Ontario Place tod’archivage. become an involved early on, we believe Ontario can also

and active participantfins in the impor- build a more flexible model for Ontario archive des à tant regional tranfor sit discussions Place — one that is able to evolve, Copy currently underwaCopie y. adapt and consider new opportunities that present themselves along the way. conclusion actuelle. version version. la pour current for original publisher l’éditeur 48 original People from across Ontario have made it clear that Ontario Place as it currently consulter consult exists does not hold the same kind of appeal or relevance it once did. Veuillez Please The declining attendance numbers combined with the increasing costs to keep the purposes. d’archivage. site open have signalled that it is time to move forward and imagine a new Ontario fins Place — one that better reflects Ontario’s exceptional culture, character and life. archive des à for Copy Copie We believe Ontario Place can draw crowds again and contribute economically to the province; but to do so, it must make a fundamental shift from a seasonal attraction to a year-round, world-class destination that attracts local residents, Ontarians and visitors from afar. While this is no small task, we believe it is possible. an that will to the iconic public park reconnect ontarians

First and foremost, Ontario Place must Our vision is of a waterfront community provide open access to the waterfront. that offers Ontarians a new opportunity No one should have to pay admission to to live, work, play and discover along the

enjoy the natural beautyactuelle. of Lake Ontario. water’s edge. We say, be bold and excel- lent in design, and use sustainable and version version. The area should be openla year-round — green building principles. We should not reimagine.

not just for the summpour er. Any new devel- shy away from being architecturally ad- current

opment on the propertyfor must fully con- venturous with a new Ontario Place. sider all the seasons andoriginal explore ways to publisher

49 adapt to the changingl’éditeur weather. To help this vision become reality, it is imperative that the government opens original

consulter reconnect. A significant portion of the site must be the area to a new set of partnership pos-

parkland where individualsconsult and families sibilities. The future of Ontario Place will Veuillez

can gather for picnicsPlease or for play. be limited if it continues to be primar- ily a publicly-funded asset. It is time to Our vision is of a state-of-the-art park on embrace a new collaborative model in purposes. d’archivage.

the edge of Ontario’sfins great lake that sets which a range of revenue sources fund

archive revitalize. an example for urban des and waterfront de- and operate the new Ontario Place. à for sign excellence in one of Canada’s most Copy vibrant cities. Copie and will be open for people to waterfront year-round live , wORK, PLAY + DISCOVER.

Next steps of this waterfront destination. The larger sector and other partners will then be fully community of Canadian and international informed as they move forward with their While we have presented a new model for designers and developers will be able to creative input. Ontario Place, as well as a range of both take the ideas outlined in this report and specific and general recommendations,actuelle. bring their own creativity, ingenuity and We understand that these important assess- exceptional concepts to the table. ments add more time to the project but we

we have tried to refrain fromversion being too version. prescriptive. la want to make sure the project is done right. pour current Before the government initiates a formal With this in mind, we recommend that the for competition for proposals, however, the government should encourage the project Our aim has been to recommendoriginal a vision and a number of core elements to create panel needs to underscore the importance to be completed in phases to make sure the publisher a strong foundation for thel’éditeur revitalization of taking a number of steps that are ab- transformation of Ontario Place is done in 50

project as well as a framoriginal ework for in- solutely critical to the long-term success the best way possible. The goal should be to terested parties from theconsulter private sector of the revitalization project. have part of the site open for Canada’s ses- consult and other partners to work with as they quicentennial celebrations in 2017, with addi- Veuillez

begin to think about conceptsPlease for the new Over the coming months, the government tional phases to follow. site. We have also recommended a num- must initiate a due diligence assessment purposes. ber of factors — accessibilitd’archivage. y, interac- as well as an environmental assessment The panel is unanimous in the belief that tion and sustainability — fins that should be of the site — both of which will provide de- there is a fantastic opportunity to revital- archive des à used to assess ideas forfor the site as well tailed analyses of the quality of the site for ize Ontario Place. There is an opportunity to development. It is our view that an environ- Copy as help measure the successCopie of a new transform the area into a vibrant twenty- Ontario Place. mental assessment be started as soon as first century world-class destination, one possible so as to continue the momentum that serves as an economic boost to the It is clear to the panel that there is avid with the revitalization project. With both province and the city of Toronto, and creates interest in this enormous revitalization the due diligence and environmental as- a new era of experiences and special memo- project with talented organizations excit- sessments in hand, the private ries for current and future generations. CONCLed to bring their ideas to the future USION recommendations

a place to connect your ontario, your ontario place doing more with more LIVE, WORK, play and discover at the water’s edge designing a NEW public realm exploring potential partnerships

1 The new Ontario Place must be committed to design excel- 8 Ontario Place and its waterfront must be accessible — an 14 Ontario Place and Exhibition Place should explore the lence in building, landscape and planning, as well as to cre- open door — and completely barrier-free to all who visit. potential for joint master planning, shared access and ative sustainable principles — this means ensuring a small transportation planning — to enrich the experience of ecological footprint in all that is developed. 9 Ontario Place needs to be open year-round, offering com- visitors to both sites and to expand the blueprint of a pelling activities to draw a range of audiences throughout unique destination. actuelle. 2 Any new development must respect and enhance the natural the different seasons. beauty of the surroundings by improving and protecting 15 To achieve its full potential, Ontario Place must become version version. Ontario Place needs to be flexible and better able to a more flexible model based on strong private-public sightlines to the water, creatingla easy public access to the 10 waterfront. adapt to changing times. It can do this through creative partnerships. It can become an inspiring and exemplary pour

current programming that engages with visitors in fresh, new new model for future revitalization projects. 3 Ontario Place should use afor small portion of its 155 land- ways; and new technologies that create connections with water lot property (10 to 15 peroriginal cent) for residential devel- a tech-savvy generation of visitors. 16 Ontario Place should explore the potential for opment with buildings that demonstrate design excellence, individual donors and corporate sponsors to help invest sustainability principles andpublisher are sized appropriately. Ontario Ontario Place must demonstrate leadership in environ- in a shared legacy project along the water of Lake On- l’éditeur 11 Place should also consider the feasibility of a hotel or resort. mental sustainability and design excellence. tario.

51 original Ontario Place should respect and celebrate the The many assets in Ontario’s arts, culture and sporting 4 Ontario Place must be a placeconsulter for people to work — not just 12 17 natural landscape as well as the historical connections sectors should be leveraged at Ontario Place — to offer a visit or live. From corporateconsult headquarters to cafés and shops, the redevelopment should include space for com- with the site. venue that showcases Ontario’s cultural diversity. merce and business. Veuillez Please 13 Future designs for Ontario Place should explore ways to 18 Working with the private sector and provincial and 5 Ontario Place should have a venue — like the original Forum feasibly include the iconic Cinesphere and pods. municipal partners, Ontario Place should explore new — for a range of cultural activities, from concerts and the- public transit opportunities to better access the western purposes. d’archivage. atre, to performances, festivals and community events. The lakeshore area. new venue should be designedfins to operate year-round. archive des à 6 Ontario Place should look atfor a range of entertainment and Copy cultural activities to infuse theCopie community with vibrancy — and generate revenue to offset the operating costs of the new public space.

7 Ontario Place should position itself as an ideal site for a research or education centre for excellence and work diligently to secure an institutional anchor tenant with international repute.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 appendices|endnotes 18. Visit Wild Water Kingdom, Ontario. AOL Travel. Web. 19 July 2012. 4. In 1997 and 2004, lengthy discussions regarding a merger between the Ontario Place and the Exhibition Place occurred, but an agreement TIME FOR CHANGE 19. TEAConnect and AECOM. 2010 Theme Index: The Global Attractions YOUR ONTARIO, YOUR ONTARIO PLACE was never reached due to financial barriers and liability issues. Attendance Report. USA: TEA/AECOM, 2011. Web. 6 June 2012. 1. Gemmil, Arlene. 1981. Discussion Paper No. 25, Ontario Place: The 1. Slinger, John. “Time to stand back to look at the Place.” The Globe and 5. Hasham, Alyshah. “Nature lover’s $1M Parks Canada donation builds Origins and Planning of an Urban Waterfront Park. 1981 Discussion Mail. 12 Oct. 1971: Third Section, pp.29. Print. 20. This is a comparison of attendance records between Canada’s Won- yurt campground.” . 9 June 2012. Web. derland as presented by the 2010 Attendance report by TEAConnect and Paper. (, Department of Geography, Toronto.) 6. 2. Gemmil, Arlene. 1981. Discussion Paper No. 25, Ontario Place: The Ori- AECOM (see Note 16) and Ontario Place attendance records presented in 6. Evergreen Bricks Work: About – Who’s Involved – Donor. Evergreen 2. Ontario Place. Toronto, ON: Ontario Department of Trade and Devel- gins and Planning of an Urban Waterfront Park. 1981 Discussion Paper. the 2010 Annual Report (see Note 8). Bricks Work, 2012. Web. 8 June 2012. (York University, Department of Geography, Toronto.) 6. opment, Ontario Place Brochure, Spring 1970. 21. TEA/AECOM. 2010 Theme Index: The Global Attractions Attendance 7. Curtis, Laura. “Richardson Foundation Donates $5 Million to Journey Report. TEA (Themed Entertainment Association), 2011. PDF. PP. 24-25. 3. Canada. Statistics Canada. Participation and Activity Limitation Sur- 3. Ontario Place Corporation. Ontario Place Partnership Program 2011. to Churchill Exhibit: Largest Private Sector Gift to-date in Park History.” Toronto: Ontario Place, 2011. PDF. vey (PALS). Ottawa, Statistics Canada, 2006. Web. 8 June 2012. 22. Drummond, Don, Chair. Public Services for Ontarians: A Path to Assiniboine Park Conservancy. 25 Mar. 2011. Web. 8 June 2012.

4. Williams, Patricia. “Toronto’s Queen’s Quay Terminal receivesactuelle. Ontario Sustainability and Excellence, Report by the Commission on the Reform of 4. Marchington, Erin. Green Provincial Report Card 2012. Corporate 8. Perrin, Lorne. “Hastings Family Donates $3 Million for New Qualico Association of Architects award.” Daily Commercial News and Construc- Ontario’s Public Services. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2012. Knights Magazine. Toronto, ON: Summer 2012. Family Centre at Assiniboine Park.” 2 Feb. 2011. Web. 8 June 2012. tion Record on the Web 23 Apr. 2010. 11 June 2012. Web. 6 June 2012.

version 5. Bay Consulting Group and AECOM Canada. Ontario Place Revitaliza- 5. : Who We Are – History. Harbourfrontversion. Corporation, 23. Bay Consulting Group and AECOM Canada. Ontario Place Revitaliza- 9. “Weston Family Donates $20 Million Gift to Renaissance ROM.” 18 la tion Study. Toronto, ON: Bay Consulting Group. 31 August. 2011. Print. 2012. Web. 8 June 2012. tion Study. Toronto, ON: Bay Consulting Group. 31 August. 2011. Print. Mar. 2004. Web. 8 June 2012.

pour 6. Waterfront Toronto: Don River Park. City of Toronto, 2012. Web. June

current 24. Sorbara, Greg, Chair. Discovering Ontario: A Report on the Future of 10. CAMH Connexions, Volume 12. No.1. Toronto: CAMH Public Affairs, 6. City of Toronto, City Planning, Social Policy Analysis & Research. Back- 8, 2012. grounder - 2011 Census: Population and Dwelling Counts. Toronto, ON: Tourism. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2009. Web. 6 June Winter 2012. PDF. 2012. Web. 8 June 2012. for 2012. 7. Waterfront Toronto: Don River Park. City of Toronto, 2012. original 11. Steven Ayer of Imagine Canada reports in a presentation, “Corpo- 7. City of Toronto, City Planning, Social Policy Analysis & Research. Niagara 25. Robarts, John.”Ontario Place Corporation Countdown Reception.” rate Giving in Canada: The Latest Data, Trends, and Implications” that 8. Waterfront Toronto: Canada’s Sugar Beach. City of Toronto, 2010. Neighbourhood Profile. City of Toronto, 2012. Web. 8 June 2012. Toronto, ON. 3 Nov. 1970. Remarks. in 2011, corporations sponsored $970M in charitable donations. From

publisher Web. July 10, 2012 1990 to 2009, corporate donations have increased 581%. 8. Canada. Statistics Canada. Focus on Geography Series, 2011l’éditeur Census 9. Waterfront Toronto: Canada’s Sugar Beach. City of Toronto, 2010. – Province of Ontario. Ottawa, Statistics Canada, 29 May 2012. Web. 8 12. The final project cost for Millennium Park was $490 million, of

original Web. July 10, 2012 June 2012. A PLACE TO CONNECT which $220 million came from public funds and $270 million from the 52 private sector. The Harris Music and Dance Theater was developed consulter 1. Selkirk Waterfront Community. Selkirk Waterfront Community. Jawl 10. Explore Chicago: Millennium Park – About the Park. City of Chicago, 9. Deloitte and Touche. Global Tourism Opportunities Study, Deloitte and through a $61M gift from the Harris family; the BP Pedestrian Bridge Touche (as part of the Discovering Ontario, A Report on the Future of Tour- Development Corporation, 2007. Web. 29 May 2012. 2012. Web. June 8, 2012. consult was created through a donation of $14.5M from British Petroleum and ism). Toronto, ON: Deloitte and Touche. February 2009. Print. the AT&T Gate and Plaza was a donation of $26 million from AT&T. 2. Darwin Waterfront recognised at 2012 Asia Pacific Property Awards. 11. Jerke, Dennis, Ryan Mikulenka, et al. Millennium Park Quadruple 10. Canada. Statistics Canada. 2011 Census: Age and Sex. Ottawa,Veuillez Statis- Hassel Studio, 2012. Web. 29 May 2012. Net Value Report. Texas A&M University and DePaul University, Summer

Please 13. Jerke, Dennis, Ryan Mikulenka, et al. Millennium Park Quadruple tics Canada, 29 May 2012. Web. 8 June 2012. 2011. 2. 3. Barangaroo. Barangaroo, 2012. Web. 30 May 2012. Net Value Report. Texas A&M University and DePaul University, Summer 2011. 14. 11. Ibid. 12. Ibid, 2. 4. Infrastructure Ontario. “Ontario Place – Infrastructure Ontario: Presen- tation to Minister’s Advisory Panel.” Toronto, ON: 12 April 2012. 14. Pan Am Games will need access to Ontario Place during the sum- purposes. 12. Ontario PassPort - February. Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnershipd’archivage. 13. Ibid, 35. Corporation. N.p., Feb. 2012. Web. 21 June 2012. mer of 2014 to conduct test events, and from June 15, 2015 to August

fins 5. A preliminary market assessment by the Bay Consulting Group and 3, 2015 for the duration of the games. They have also requested that 14. Ibid, 75. 13. “Projections of the Diversity of the Canadian Population.” The Daily, AECOM Canada suggests that a redeveloped site could support a small construction on Ontario Place stop for the duration of the games. archive Tuesday, March 9, 2010. Study: Projections of the Diversity of des the Cana- family-oriented hotel (around 200 rooms). à dian Population. Statistics Canada, 09 Mar. 2010. Web. 21for June 2012. 6. Jerke, Dennis, Ryan Mikulenka, et al. Millennium Park Quadruple Net 14. Wall, Geoffrey, John Sinnot, et al. Major Attractions in Toronto: Use Value Report. Texas A&M University and DePaul University, Summer 2011. DOING MORE WITH MORE Copy and Management, Preliminary Report. andCopie Ontario Ministry of Culture and Recreation, November 1978. 7. Staley, Oliver and Henry Goldman. “Cornell’s $350 Million Donor 1. A 2004 study by the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships Revealed As University Wins Contest.” Bloomberg 19 Dec. 2011. Web. 30 reports that 90% of Canadians believe that governments at all levels 15. Canada. Statistics Canada. Focus on Geography Series, 2011 Census May 2012 are having difficulty meeting infrastructure needs and that approxi- – Province of Ontario. Ottawa, Statistics Canada, 29 May 2012. Web. 8 mately 60% of Canadians support the use of Private-Public Partnerships June 2012. 8. Gemmil, Arlene. 1981. Discussion Paper No. 25, Ontario Place: The Ori- as an infrastructure solution. gins and Planning of an Urban Waterfront Park. 1981 Discussion Paper, York University, Department of Geography, Toronto. 16. Attendance records from past Annual Reports by the Ontario Place 2. CNE – About the CNE: Our Past & Present. Canadian National Exhibi- Corporation (available at http://www.ontarioplace.com/annual-reports) tion, 2012. Web. 8 June 2012. exhibit declining guest attendance. 9. This is tally of events to be held at the Molson Amphitheatre as listed at Livenation.com. 3. Ibid. 17. Canada’s Wonderland: Our History. Cedar Fair Parks and Peanuts Worldwide LLC, 2012. 8 June 2012. 10. Research Resolutions & Consulting Ltd. Canada’s Festival Tourism En- thusiasts: A Special Analysis of the Travel Activities and Motivation Survey (TAMS). Ottawa, Ontario: Canada Tourism Commission, 2004. Print. ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 appendices|stakeholder and public feedback

• Recreation: include walking promenades, benches, shade and rest areas, urban gardens, splash pads and other water features, public art, Consultation History Ontario Place Revitalization Town Hall skating rinks and sports facilities for all seasons. • Green space: a place that is open and evokes its natural surrounding, Over the past two years, there have been various stages of public On June 5, 2012, the panel hosted a public town hall at the Toronto including green spaces where people can gather, hear music, share and stakeholder engagement to help inform the revitalization of Metro Convention Centre on the future of Ontario Place — creating an great food and relax. Ontario Place. opportunity for the public to provide feedback before the panel submit- • Environmental Sustainability: ensure eco-friendly elements, green ted its final recommendations on a revitalized Ontario Place to the roofs, natural landscaped elements, and renewable energy features. In 2010, MyOntarioPlace.com and the Ontario Place Pavilion were province. • Retail & business: A place where locals and visitors can eat great food launched to capture public interest generated by the Request for Infor- and shop year-round, whether it’s an outdoor farmer’s market or indoor mation (RFI) issued in July 2010. Approximately 1,200 comments from Over 125 participants attended in-person with an additional 95 joining shopping. the public were received in total. online from across Ontario — including Brampton, St. Catharines, Gore • Multi-use: a place, complex or community centre to accommodate Bay, Sault Ste. Marie as well as other areas. Key stakeholders in at- events and venues for arts, sports, learning and more. The July 2010 RFI was issued to gain insight from interested and tendance included Exhibition Place, Canadian National Exhibition, City • Architecture and design: actuelle. showcase iconic architecture and sustain- qualified respondents — and was designed to encourage creative and of Toronto and previous RFI respondents. Members of the Ontario Place able design that retains some of the heritage of the site. Ensure good innovative ideas to rejuvenate the site, while endeavouring to protect the Corporation Board of Directors were also present, as were a number way-finding and connectivity, especially connectivity with the waterfront. original purpose of Ontario Place as a showcase for the province. The of media representatives from the CBC, CTV, Toronto Star and several • Financial sustainability: examples can include revenue from leases, RFI attracted 35 submissions in total, from Canada, the Unitedversion States others. version. residential development, retail, parking revenue, bonds, corporate and the United Kingdom. la sponsorships and/or hotels. Selling advertising space or corporate After an overview presentation by John Tory, Chair of the panel, at- naming rights could be considered. Ensure that revenue generators do

In September 2010, the Ontario Place Corporation hosted a roundtablepour tendees were invited to indicate their preferences for the types of public, not take away from public accessibility and public enjoyment of the site current with more than 30 invited stakeholders. Participants representing a commercial, and residential spaces that Ontario Place could emulate — and waterfront.

cross-section of Ontario’s tourism and culture sectors, sharedfor recom- they were asked to cast their vote using two sets of coloured stickers on mendations on what Ontario Place should consider when reviewing the poster board pictures: green for “like” and red for “do not like.” By the The evening concluded with an open question and answer period with original RFI responses. end of the evening, images of parks, public spaces and recreational ac- John Tory, providing participants a chance to elaborate on key points tivities — think restaurants along the Riverwalk in San Antonio — topped raised during the discussion period. the list of likes. It was an exercise in “dot-mocracy” as Mike Layton,

By 2011, additional technical consultations had been heldpublisher with rep- Toronto City Councillor, tweeted later that evening. resentatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Ontariol’éditeur Place and several other key stakeholder groups to identify potential issues, constraints and opportunities for the revitalization of Ontario Place. Attendees then participated in roundtable discussions framed around

53 original Organizations consulted included: Aquatic Habitat Toronto, Toronto Port four key questions on how to make Ontario Place a successful, year- key quotations from Authority, Toronto Island Airport Authority, Toronto Transit Commission, round destination: Ontario Place Revitalization Town Hall Ministry of Infrastructure, Waterfront Toronto, Ministry of the consulter Environ-

ment and the City of Toronto. consult • What are the key elements of a public space that matter to you? “I think that we should either keep Ontario Place open or make a new • What would entice you to return to Ontario Place many times during amusement park or put a hotel in its place that isn’t like a regular hotel, because it has activities and water parks and talking animals….” MyOntarioPlace.com was re-opened in February 2012 along Veuillez with a the year? • What are options for development on the site to pay for the public – Young Town Hall participant.

phone number, to hear further suggestions on what a revitalizedPlease Ontario Place should include — as well as to keep the public updated and realm component? informed. To date, there have been more than 450 submissions. Com- • How do we ensure Ontario Place is a destination for all Ontarians? “Let’s have a residency program at Ontario Place to learn about people mon themes include: waterpark, multi-use park, revitalize existing park, and things happening from other parts of Ontario.” Cinesphere, casino, bars/restaurants and year-round uses. After an hour of brainstorming and lively discussion, participants – Town Hall participant. purposes. d’archivage. then had the opportunity to hear a recap of some of the key themes Following the Minister’s Advisory Panel’s initial meeting in March 2012, discussed: “Bring Ontario’s wilderness to the city – maybe a campground the panel heard from several key stakeholder groups, includingfins Water- at Ontario Place.” • Access: – Town Hall participant. front Toronto, Metrolinx, Tourism Toronto, Pan/Parapan Games,archive Toronto the public realm must be accessible by transit and by foot. Port Authority, Toronto Port Lands, Exhibition Place and Canadiandes Access to and from Exhibition Place is also necessary. Access to public à National Exhibition. for space and the water’s edge should be free and should be for everyone “How do we create the perfect mix of music, art, recreation, residential to enjoy, from children to seniors. and other uses?” – Town Hall participant. Copy The panel also heard from the New Democratic Party of OntarioCopie (all • Integration: the public realm must consider integration with the natu- political parties were invited), Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation ral surroundings — water, land, air — and celebrate the four seasons. / Ministry of Finance, Infrastructure Ontario and TD Canada Trust and • Programming: Ontario Place should be Ontario’s canvas to showcase “Create a floating hotel in Lake Ontario...” equity partners. Presentations covered a range of topics, key issues and creative programs, arts and entertainment. It should include activities – Town Hall participant. impacts on the Ontario Place Revitalization, as well as visions for a new like festivals and concerts and represent the cultural diversity of Toronto Ontario Place. The panel also met with the Ontario Place Corporation and Ontario. Arts, science, environmental and other learning programs board of directors to provide an update on the proposed vision for the are essential, including youth engagement activities and workshops. future of Ontario Place.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 appendices|summary of research and analysis

• Public accessibility: general accessibility to the site for members of the public with pay-for-entry facilities; In addition to the public and stakeholder engagement, the panel looked at a number of previous studies on Ontario Place. • Pedestrian flow: improve main entrances and strengthen pedestrian networks and natural traffic patterns. For example, in the2007 Strategic More than 25 studies had been commissioned by the Ontario Plan for Ontario Place, 720 Consulting– listed ‘Im- Place Corporation over the past 40 years to address a range prove Connectivity & Accessibility to & Within Ontario Place’ as their first of key questions and improvements. From strategic plans to guiding objective; operational efficiencies, many areas have been examined. Each study stated infrastructure concerns, identified visible • Open year-round: establish Ontario Place as a year-round destination. shortcomings and provided recommendations for improving This is evident in the 1991 Preliminary Master Plan by Garrison Com- Ontario Place. actuelle. mon, which examines year-round use of the grounds and buildings. The report states that extending the activity seasons means not only finding Although each study focused on answering a central question version year-round uses for many of the buildings, but also programming activi- or issue, common themes appear throughout the reports.version. la ties for the winter and shoulder seasons;

Some reoccurring themes include: pour current • Attractions: the need for improvement and addition of

for major tourist attraction(s); and • Transportation issues: transportation concerns include the

need for an accessible traffic network with adequate parkingoriginal • Uniqueness: retain and highlight the site location and the and transit. The 2009 Tourism Competitiveness Study, titled surrounding environment. Discovering Ontario: A Report on the Future of Tourismpublisher , stated the need to develop a transportation strategy that wouldl’éditeur allow Recently, Bay Consulting Group in collaboration with AECOM Canada easier access for visitors to reach Ontario Place from downtown

original produced the Ontario Place Revitalization Study (2011). The key purpose 54 Toronto1; of the study was to investigate viable options for the future of Ontario consulter Place and to suggest an approach that would meet desired outcomes. • Elimination of barriers: the 2005 Exhibition Place and consult Business options considered in the study included: Ontario Place Master Plan Study highlighted that Lake Shore

Boulevard physically and operationally divides Ontario PlaceVeuillez 1. Maintaining the status quo — continuing to operate as is and Exhibition Place; Please 2. Divestment — selling the property 3. Revitalization — a material revitalization of the present operations. • Facilities: several reports underline the importance of en- hancing the utilization and expansion of existing facilities. The purposes.

d’archivage. Over the course of our panel meetings, these previous studies were 1982 Master Plan For The Long Range Development of Ontario excellent resources. The panel also complemented the existing research

Place by Zeidler Roberts Partnership/Architects recommendedfins with additional analysis — including, social-historical research, interjuris- the introduction of new facilities and improvement of existing archive 2 des dictional research, and cost analysis and modelling — to put together the

facilities so as to maintain the image of Ontario Place ; à for Ontario Place Revitalization report. • Community involvement: the importance of increasing com- Copy munity involvement is visible in many reports, such as inCopie the 1987 Ontario Place Corporation Long Range Strategic Plan by Laventhol & Horwath. The management consultants stressed that Ontario Place Corporation should reach out to the com- munity for both participation and support when developing and implementing valuable interactive programming3;

1. Greg Sorbara, Discovering Ontario: A Report on the Future of Tourism. February 2009, pp.55. 2. Zeidler Roberts Partnership/Architects, Master Plan for the Long Range Development of Ontario Place. August 1982, pp.1. 3. Laventhol & Horwath, Ontario Place Corporation Long Range Strategic Plan. November 1987, pp.v.

ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 appendices|minister’s advisory panel

Mante da ’s Centre for Ethics, PCL Seminar Outside of work Salima is engaged in community. She was The Minister’s Advisory Panel will report to the Room, Inn on College and re:TREEtHOUSE – work that instrumental to the establishment of TORONTO+acumen in Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and will: has garnered international recognition through numerous 2010, where she continues as an executive member. Salima awards and publications. acts as Co-Chair of the Emerging Leaders Network (ELN), • Provide strategic advice to the government to whose mission is to advance the Toronto Region through move forward with a full revitalization of Ontario Place As an associate professor at the John H. Daniels Faculty awareness, influence and action. In addition to her work with • Provide input into a new vision for Ontario Place Corporation of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University TORONTO+acumen and the ELN she also acts as a Mentor and For electronic copies of this document, visit: • Help set parameters with government regarding of Toronto, Ms. Petricone teaches design and critical sits on the investment committee for RISE Asset Development, public and private sector roles and expectations theory at every level of the graduate architecture program. a micro fund dedicated to financing entrepreneurs living with She has enjoyed acting as primary advisor for numerous mental illness and addictions. http://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/ The Advisory panel will provide advice on the steps leading to award-winning thesis students whose proposals tend the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a revitalizedactuelle. site. to question socio-aesthetic practices in architecture as Salima holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Management ontarioplace/ontarioplace.shtml urban constructions. at U of T, as well as a BCom from the Sauder Business School at UBC, where she was elected Valedictorian of her

version Ms. Petricone received a Bachelor of Architecture from the graduating class. version. la University of Toronto in 1991 and in 1995, with a full fel- © Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2012 John Tory (Chair) lowship award, received a Master of Architecture (II) from pour Princeton University. Steven Davidson John Tory is a lawyer, business leader, community activistcurrent and broadcaster. He was formerly an elected representative serv- Steven Davidson is the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of for ing as MPP for Dufferin Peel Wellington Grey, as Leader of the Tourism, Culture and Sport. The ministry provides leadership Ontario PC Party and as Leader of the Official Oppositionoriginal in the Robert (Bob) Wong in three rapidly expanding sectors of the Ontario economy, and English: Ontario Parliament. Bob Wong has an extensive background in business, oversight of 21 Ontario attractions and agencies. government and community service. Currently, Mr. Wong ISBN 978-1-4435-9979-5 (Print) publisher Previously, Mr. Davidson was the Assistant Deputy Minister In 1995, Mr. Tory joined the Rogers Group of Companies,l’éditeur first as serves as Vice-Chair and Senior Portfolio Manager at Leon ISBN 978-1-4435-9980-1 (PDF) President and CEO of Rogers Media Inc. and then as President Frazer & Associates Inc. Previously, he served as Ontario’s of the Culture Division at the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Minister of Energy and Minister of Citizenship. and Assistant Deputy Minister of the Policy, Programs and 55 and CEO of Rogers Cable, Canada’s largest cable andoriginal internet service provider. He presently serves on the Board of Directors of Services Division at the former Ministry of Culture. Rogers Communications Inc. and a number of other companies.consulter Mr. Wong began his business career as a securities ana- French: lyst and has served as a senior officer and a director of a Mr. Davidson holds an honours Bachelor of Arts in History from consult Mr. Tory was a founding Board Member and is the voluntary number of Toronto Stock Exchange member firms includ- Queen’s University, a Master of Archival Studies from the Uni- ISBN 978-1-4435-9982-5 (Print) versity of British Columbia, and completed the Public Executive Chair of the Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance (formerlyVeuillez the ing May Mikkila & Co Inc. and Goulding Rose & Turner Ltd. Program at Queen’s University. ISBN 978-1-4435-9983-2 (PDF) Toronto City Summit Alliance), a highly respected city-buildingPlease organization. He hosts a daily three-hour talk show on Canada’s Mr. Wong holds a Master of Business Administration from leading talk station Newstalk 1010. the Schulich School of Business at York University and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics from the Infrastructure Ontario The panel also includes representation from Infrastructure

purposes. University of Toronto. d’archivage. Joe Halstead Ontario, the crown corporation responsible for both managing Joseph Halstead is Chair of the Ontario Place Corporationfins Board the renewal of Ontario’s public infrastructure and managing the Ontario government’s real estate portfolio. of Directors. He was the former Commissioner responsiblearchive for Salima Rawji des Salima is a Senior Development Manager for Build Economic Development, Culture and Tourism in the Cityà of To- for ronto. In this capacity, he was also responsible for the parks and Toronto, an innovative real estate development corpora- recreation system, as well as major events. tion created as part of the City of Toronto’s strategy to en- Copy Copie hance Toronto’s economic competitiveness. Her previous Previously, Mr. Halstead spent 24 years with the Government of professional experience ranges from managing develop- Ontario in five different ministries in a broad range of manage- ments for SmartCentres, one of Canada’s most active real ment positions, rising to the position of Assistant Deputy Minis- estate developers, to producing some of Toronto’s most ter of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation. successful cultural arts festivals for Harbourfront Centre, notably the Hot and Spicy Food Festival and Masala! Mehndi! Masti! Pina Petricone Pina Petricone is a partner with Giannone Petricone Associates Architects, a multi-disciplinary office best known for projects such as Osteria Ciceri e Tria, Herman Miller Canada, ontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 rev actuelle. version version. la pour current for original publisher l’éditeur original consulter consult Veuillez Please purposes. d’archivage. fins archive des à for Copy Copie revitalizationontario place revitalization | MINISTER’S ADVISORY PANEL REPORT | july 2012 actuelle. version version. la pour current for original publisher l’éditeur revitalizationoriginal consulter consult Veuillez Please purposes. d’archivage. fins archive des à for Copy Copie

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