Toronto officials warn of potential battle over Ontario Place if city isn’t consulted

Thestar.com
May 29, 2019
Temur Durrani and Francine Kopun

Just ruling out a casino for provincially owned Ontario Place is not good enough for City of Toronto officials warning of another potential battle with the Premier Doug Ford government.

Tourism Minister Michael Tibollo on Tuesday announced terms for a worldwide call for development proposals that, as the Star revealed Monday, cannot include a gaming palace.

“As part of the process, we will consider a broad range of ideas, from sports and entertainment landmarks, to public spaces and parks, recreational facilities and retail,” Tibollo told reporters gathered at the former amusement park, shuttered in 2012 with grounds later reopened.

The Ford government hired KPMG and Colliers International to invite redevelopment ideas from international developers.

Proposals for the 155-acre site must include 7.5 acres of park -- but not necessarily the internationally renowned $30 million Trillium Park opened in 2017. The leased site must require no operating funds from taxpayers. There is no requirement to keep it open to the general public.

“We have a real opportunity here to unlock the great potential of this site, as a world class destination that can draw ... Ontario residents, the residents of Toronto and of course, tourists from around the world,” the tourism minister said.

After the announcement Councillor Joe Cressy, whose ward includes Ontario Place, slammed the Ford government for issuing the request for proposals without first consulting Toronto on redevelopment guidelines or looking at jointly redeveloping city-owned Exhibition Place.

Fresh off a battle for public opinion that saw Ford back down on most of $178 million in retroactive funding cuts to Toronto, Cressy warned of another battle brewing, this time on the waterfront.

“The City of Toronto owns the ‘waterlot’ -- the land connecting Lake Shore Blvd. to (Ontario Place’s) east and west islands, and the bridge connections,” over the channel, Cressy told reporters.

“While the province may wish to go alone, the fact is they cannot. They must work with us. Moreover, they should work with us ...
“For the private sector that is considering bidding and potentially investing hundreds of millions of dollars to redevelop Ontario Place, they might reconsider putting that time and money into this effort if part of the lands are tied up by the city, and subject to potential years of legal challenges.”

Asked if he was threatening the Ford government, Cressy said no, just “a clear invitation to come back to the table,” and reimagine both sites based on principles approved by city council, including guaranteed public access to the whole site, retention of heritage features including the “pods” and Cinesphere, and “robust” public consultation on future changes.

Mayor John Tory told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning he expressed displeasure to his old friend, provincial Infrastructure Minister Monte McNaughton, about the province “unilaterally” dictating what can and can’t be at Ontario Place.

“I want to create something really spectacular down there with the province, and hopefully involving Exhibition Place as well, but it’s got to be a partnership in the real sense of the word,” Tory said.

He later issued a statement suggesting conversations with McNaughton and Tibollo left him “optimistic” Toronto will have a say in Ontario Place’s future.

But, asked if it’s possible he’ll launch an opposition campaign like the one that had him door-knocking in a PC MPP’s riding criticizing budget cuts, his office said: “We have a clear choice -- working together or going down a road which would see us forced to stand up for Toronto’s interests in any way necessary if we are not fully involved.”

Tuesday afternoon, Ford’s office noted in a statement that it had already met with various Toronto officials about the redevelopment and that the process to come “by its very nature ... will include numerous consultation sessions with the City of Toronto.”

Joe Cressy

@joe_cressy
Speaking alongside @ONPlace4All, @KGreenbergTO & @ChrisGloverMPP on the Province’s unilateral announcement on Ontario Place. I am deeply concerned with this move, that includes no public process or consultation. The City owns lands within Ontario Place. They must work with us.

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12:12 PM - May 28, 2019
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Waterfront advocates fighting to save Trillium Park, the pods, Cinesphere and the William G. Davis Trail said the provincial call for development confirmed their worst fears.

“We are horrified by the Ford government's announcement today,” said Cynthia Wilkey of Ontario Place for All. “Ontario Place is being auctioned off to the private sector.”

She noted the provincial guidelines state: “If necessary, access to all or some portions of the site can be controlled and should reflect the commercial requirements of the individual submissions,” and that only the Budweiser Stage is guaranteed protection from demolition.

The Ford government invitation to developers notes its transit expansion plans includes an “Ontario Line” subway route, meant to relieve traffic from the busy Yonge subway line, with a stop at or near Ontario Place. It might be at Exhibition Place, currently serviced by TTC buses and GO trains.

Developers, and members of the public, are invited to contact provincial officials until Sept. 3.

Redevelopment ideas suggested to the Star by GTA residents include: a relocated Ontario Science Centre there; a family-friendly music theme park; a swimming pier and public sauna; or convention facilities. Others want it to be modelled on Chicago’s Millennium Park, with public gardens and parkland, art installations and space for children and families.