TORONTO – Ontarians will not be able to take part in all that Ontario Place has to offer in the next few years as the province plans a major revitalization of the waterfront tourist attraction.
At the press conference announcing the redevelopment of Ontario Place, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan said that the tourist attraction needs to be accessible and profitable. “We’re losing money, we are subsidizing it $20 million a year and we need to redevelop the site so it’s more accessible for families, more accessible for the entire community,” said Duncan.
The water park, amusement rides and the Cinesphere will close until 2017 while Ontario Place is redeveloped.
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The only attractions that will remain open are the amphitheatre, the Atlantis pavilion, and the marina.
Attendance levels:
Opening in 1971, Ontario Place had 2.5 million visitors, though attendance levels have dropped significantly with only 563,000 attending in 2011 – though admittance to the park was free.
Jobs lost in closing attractions:
The majority of Ontario Place is only open during the summer. According to numbers released at Wednesday’s press conference, the majority of job losses will affect students-with over 600 student jobs disappearing until 2017- while another 48 fulltime jobs will be lost.
Current government costs:
The province of Ontario currently spends approximately $20 million dollars a year on Ontario Place each year.
What’s closing?
• Cinesphere ( 752-seat IMAX® theatre)
• Children’s Festival Stage
• Heritage Square
• Echo Beach
• Soak City Water Park
• Mini Bumper Boats
• Mini-Greens
• Power Wheels Track (Ride)
• First Flight (Ride)
• Freefall (Ride)
• Cyclone Speedway(Ride)
• Conservation area / Eco Learning Centre
• Gift shop
• 4D Ontario
• Food and Beverage Outlets
• Wilderness Adventure Ride
• Eco Zone (30 seat) motion simulator (ride)
• The Go Zone – The Atom Blaster (game)
• OP Driving School
• Bumper Boats
• Pedal Boats
• Marine Grille
• Food and Beverage Outlets
• Gift shop
• National Helicopters (helicopter rides)
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