Ontario Place redevelopment to enhance public spaces, sustainability, natural features

The proposed redevelopment of Government of Canada’s Toronto waterfront property, Ontario Place, will transform it into a freely accessible public space, with added natural and sustainability features to enhance climate resiliency and shoreline protection.

The plan comes from Therme Canada, a global group specialized in creating wellbeing tourism experiences. The key features of the redevelopment are outlined below:

• Shoreline restoration to protect the West Island from flooding, erosion, and high-water levels
• 47,540 m² (511,716 sf) of year-round, freely accessible public space for all to enjoy
• 35 km (0.84 mi) of enhanced trails around the entire West Island, including the extension of the William G. Davis Trail and connection to the Martin Goodman Trail. This is a 36 per cent increase in the West Island trails compared to what existed previously.
• A new bridge to the West Island will feature a wide public promenade to give people the opportunity to walk on the William G. Davis Trail across the entire Ontario Place site and connecting people with the Martin Goodman Trail.
• A 3426 m² (36,877 sf) public beach right in downtown Toronto
• 5400 m² (58,125 sf) of new wetlands to help return clean water to the lake and support local wildlife. Wetlands are a critical element in climate resiliency and will help to support the revitalized public spaces well into the future. Visitors will be able to enjoy the wetland zone on a new network of boardwalks.
• 16,463 m² (177,206 sf) of green roof connecting the building to the surrounding natural landscape
• Restoration and improvement of existing heritage gathering areas on the eastern and western sides of the Ontario Place West Island. The East and West Headland gathering spaces are original elements of Ontario Place’s landscape design and are not only being preserved but enhanced. These areas will each allow small concerts, art shows and other public gatherings in winter, spring, summer, or fall.
• The creation of 25,566 m² (275,190 sf) of new aquatic habitat for native species

“Therme Canada, our partners at the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto, and our consulting partners, have been working for over a year to reach this important milestone and we’re excited to be taking this step forward today with the Province,” said Mark Lawson, vice-president, communications & external relations, Therme Canada. “Having signed a long-term ground lease at Ontario Place, we are delivering on our commitment to create an iconic, global attraction along with new privately funded and maintained public space that will allow everyone to enjoy Ontario Place year-round.”