Ontario Place needs wild imagination

[waldenbg]

Originally Posted by Mollywood

You haven't heard any ideas? Seriously? Are you not aware that an internet site was set up by McGuinty and Ontario Place, asking the public for ideas, just about 6 short months ago? Thousands of people sent in their ideas on that site and also on newspaper web sites. The Toronto Star had a section asking the public for their ideas. Actually the government's site was for the sole purpose of using those suggestions to redevelop OP.

Some of you guys seem to be clueless about what goes on in your own city or else you have really bad memories. I hope McGuinty didn't go through those measures as a fake PR move. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now because I want to believe that.

I know they have a website, but I have not heard any ideas. I think they should build a huge indoor/outdoor complex, with a ferris wheel, amusement park, resort, casino and shows.

[doug.to]

Man, we need one of those crazy Japanese indoor beaches. That'd be awesome at OP.

[waldenbg]

Originally Posted by doug.to

Man, we need one of those crazy Japanese indoor beaches. That'd be awesome at OP.

That would be really cool!!!


The roof opens in the Summer!!

Or this one in Germany!! Largest indoor water park!


Truth is, I think this could be a part of the entertainment complex. Thats what nobody understands!! With $6 billion, we could get this!! Really, stop hating on casinos! If we got a huge indoor water park, a resort, shops, rides, restaurants, shows, nightclubs, etc., then who really cares if there is a casino attached? Seriously!! It is not going to create gambling addictions. Those who have will gamble in Niagara or Rama no matter what.

[vid]

Let's stick everything we could ever need into this one facility! We'll never need to travel anywhere or experience something different again!

[Nouvellecosse]

I thought West Edmonton Mall had the world's largest indoor water park?

[waldenbg]

Originally Posted by vid

Let's stick everything we could ever need into this one facility! We'll never need to travel anywhere or experience something different again!

? lol... but seriously.. it makes sense to have a resort complex with an amusement park and a casino together, in fact its happened before... A major attraction like this could have a wide variety of things. Or would you rather see more condos? :p

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

I thought West Edmonton Mall had the world's largest indoor water park?

They have the worlds largest indoor amusement park, but the water park is separate.

[Nouvellecosse]

We could have the world's largest indoor amusement and water park combination!

[current]

This weekend Ontario Place is not opening for the first time since it was built - Toronto Star article:
Can Sad, Empty Ontario Place Become Magical Again?

David Rider
Urban Affairs Bureau Chief
Fri May 18 2012

For the first May long weekend in 41 years, the Ontario Place gates will not swing open on a summer of wholesome, waterlogged, government-prescribed fun. They remain locked until at least 2017. Where map-clutching crowds once surged across the bridge, only security guards now saunter. Folks still file to the marina, Molson Canadian Amphitheatre and Atlantis Pavilion banquet hall. But those water-spouting bikes, seemingly powered by shrieks of delight, are still and dry. The Wilderness Adventure Ride is as forlorn as an actual gold-rush outpost.

“You would be horrified,” says John Tory — whose panel will tell the province how to breathe life back into Ontario Place — to a reporter who played there as a child, worked there multiple summers as a student, has a sister on the O.P. board, and has splashed there with his own kids. “It’s sad to walk through. The outside looks pretty much the same but inside, for example in the pods where there was a smaller theatre and rooms with exhibits, it’s empty and abandoned. You’d just be shaking your head saying, ‘How did this happen?’”

Still, Tory is glad the provincial Liberal government, faced with ever-shrinking attendance and ever-growing deficits, “decided to suck it up and do what probably had to be done in terms of closing it for now and having a rapid process to say ‘What are we going to do with this?’” There remains among many, including those who know the educational amusement park needs a big reboot, potent nostalgia for its past, and hopes some of the magic will survive...


Read More: http://www.thestar.com/news/article/...cal-again?bn=1

[Taller, Better]

They are now focussing more on Exhibition Place for the proposed Casino. I do NOT want them tampering with the 1920's exhibition buildings.

[Toronto2008]

On second thought, I would be okay whether we get the casino or not (ONLY at OP, not Exhibition Place!). I am more interested in the entertainment complex/redevlopment of OP than with the casino, but if thats the price we pay for something spectacular then so be it (I have yet to see any plans from MGM Grand/Ceasars). They are big names and can bring in big events (concerts, shows, boxing matches etc) to our lovely city......

[Mollywood]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

They are now focussing more on Exhibition Place for the proposed Casino. I do NOT want them tampering with the 1920's exhibition buildings.

I agree, The CNE has some wonderful historic buildings, which I hope, they would not tear down. On the other hand, it also has some big, ugly ash fault parking lots that should have been put to better use, a long time ago. Parking can always be put underground, like they are doing right now at Harbourfront.
I would love to see Ontario Places parking lots move underground too and have Lakeshore covered over as well. There is a huge amount of land that could be used to expand the park and make it amazing. If the streetcar looped around the CNE and into OP, with a stop at the main gates, that would also be a huge improvement. There is no doubt in my mind that Ontario Place could be a great attraction again. (yes, even magical) It just takes the effort.

[current]

Is there room for both the Honda Indy and F1 at Ontario Place/CNE? - Wheels.ca article:
F1 at Ontario Place? Why Not?

Norris McDonald
Published August 9, 2012

Except for the summer Olympics and the World Cup of Soccer, no sporting event on the planet attracts as much attention as a Formula One car race...

Read more: http://www.wheels.ca/news/f1-at-ontario-place-why-not/

[Filip]

Originally Posted by current

Is there room for both the Honda Indy and F1 at Ontario Place/CNE? - Wheels.ca article:
F1 at Ontario Place? Why Not?

Norris McDonald
Published August 9, 2012

Except for the summer Olympics and the World Cup of Soccer, no sporting event on the planet attracts as much attention as a Formula One car race...

Read more: http://www.wheels.ca/news/f1-at-ontario-place-why-not/

Hahaha, as much as I hate F1 (or Indy racing), it would be fun to go after it just to see the face of Montrealers when we inevitably get rid of their 'asset' event.

Just for Laughs' Toronto event is already growing in the English-speaking world. I have no doubt that in a few years, the Montreal event will be Francophone only.

[icemachine]

It would be nice to see the Canadian GP flip between Montreal and Toronto, being like Germany where the race flips every year between Hockenheim and Nurburgring and how Spain plans to alternate between Valencia and Barcelona from 2013 onwards (No more European GP).

For a Toronto Circuit though I think they would have to change the layout to lengthen it, as the Indy Track is only 1.765 miles which is shorter than Monaco (2.1 miles) or Montreal (2.7 miles). To get something even as long as Montreal they would need to go out to British Columbia Rd.

Even then there would be a large number of technical challenges considering how much space is needed for runoff for F1 to consider a new track. I honestly think something like the new circuit coming to Ft. Erie has a much better chance at landing the F1 race

http://www.cdnmotorspeedway.com/

[waldenbg]

MGM Resorts dangles Cirque du Soleil carrot during casino lobbying

MGM Resorts International, one of the casino giants lobbying Toronto councillors on the benefits of a downtown gambling mecca, is sweetening the pot with the promise of a permanent Cirque du Soleil facility.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/city...asino-lobbying

I think it could be great!

[Taller, Better]

Well, that part doesn't appeal to me in the slightest but it would attract tourists I suppose.

[waldenbg]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

Well, that part doesn't appeal to me in the slightest but it would attract tourists I suppose.

It wouldn't just attract tourists. Every Cirque show I have ever seen has been amazing, and this could be enjoyed by Torontonians as well as tourists.

Its a family friendly show that amazes people. Have you ever seen a Cirque Du Soleil?

[Taller, Better]

Yes, a couple of times. Not my cup of tea, but my partner loves it.

[waldenbg]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

Yes, a couple of times. Not my cup of tea, but my partner loves it.

I guess some people just don't love them :P However, be aware that the ones presented in a tent at the PortLands are completely different then a Vegas style permanent show.

I've seen a few in Vegas, and nothing compares. I urge you to look up Ka, Iris, Beatles Love, O, and even Viva Elvis to get more of a feeling of what to expect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT9CXr2o5ME

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXJSFJHgULs&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TWW2...feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlMIIEn50YM&feature=plcp

I know that it seems like I'm almost advertising for them, but the truth is my family and I have seen all these shows and they were amazing. Unreal!

We saw one under the big top and it didn't compare. The permanent shows are much better, have a story, set, etc.

[Taller, Better]

Hey, I'd be willing to give it a go. It just struck me that the two shows I saw seemed to be pretty much the same thing but with different costumes and music. I didn't really catch the magic of it, I suppose.