Ontario Place

About the redevelopment project

Ontario Place is being redeveloped into a world-class, year-round destination that will include:

• family-friendly entertainment
• public and event spaces
• parkland
• waterfront access
• health and wellness services
• science-based educational programming
• an indoor-outdoor live music and performance venue

Our vision for Ontario Place will provide people of all ages with something to enjoy. The redeveloped site will not include casinos or condos, and the government will continue to own the land.

Ontario Place will be redeveloped in a sustainable way, that:

• respects Ontario’s historical and natural features
• showcases Ontario’s diversity and multiculturalism
• honours the rich traditions, cultures and heritage of Indigenous peoples

In addition, key heritage and recreational features will be brought up to modern standards and integrated into the redevelopment, including:

• the Cinesphere
• the Pod complex
• the marina
• Trillium Park
• the William G. Davis Trail

A redeveloped Ontario Place will bring many benefits to the region, including:

• 5,000 new jobs during both construction and permanent operations
• enhanced profile of Toronto’s central waterfront for local, provincial, national and international visitors
• anticipated 4–6 million visitors a year
• private sector investment of $500 million in capital on the site
• new revenue from lease agreements

Once complete, the redeveloped Ontario Place will be open to the public 365 days a year, with free public access and a waterfront experience that everyone can enjoy.

Waterfront access

The redeveloped Ontario Place site will be a unique waterfront location with year-round, free public access to the water. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of waterfront experiences and recreational activities, including:

• beaches
• waterfront trails
• swimming and boating
• an improved marina with retail, dining, and family-friendly activities

We will also ensure that the waterfront is enhanced and protected as part of the redevelopment project, including:

• water quality improvements
• shoreline repairs
• soil remediation
• site-wide flood mitigation

Green space and parkland

As part of the redevelopment project, we will enhance the site’s green space and parkland, including maintaining Trillium Park, and expanding William G. Davis waterfront trail along the entire shoreline of Ontario Place, which will provide additional public access to the waterfront. There will also be more trees, gardens, landscaping, and native plants throughout the site.

Our vision will also focus on creating spaces for rest, relaxation, and recreational activities. People will be able to enjoy trails for walking, jogging, and biking.

Public and event spaces

The redeveloped site will also include free public and event spaces. This will include spaces for markets, social gatherings and areas with additional seating to bring friends, families and tourists together to create lifelong memories and experiences.

Ontario Science Centre

The Ontario Science Centre will move to Ontario Place, creating a new state-of-the-art facility to welcome local visitors and tourists from across the province and around the world.

The Ontario Science Centre relocation will bring exciting, family-friendly science-based educational programming to Ontario Place, including using the historic Cinesphere and Pod complex. A heritage consultant will be part of the project team to ensure heritage attributes are conserved and any impacts are mitigated. Construction of the new facility is anticipated to begin in 2025.

The relocation will support the province’s economy by bringing additional tourism, cultural and educational experiences to Ontario Place. The new Ontario Science Centre builds on the government’s plan to support STEM-education and prepare young people for the jobs of the future.

Construction work

As part of the redevelopment of Ontario Place, construction activities have started across the site, including repairs to the Cinesphere, Pod complex, and bridges. Site servicing construction work is scheduled to begin this spring to upgrade the site’s critical infrastructure, such as sewage, water, electrical and gas services. This work requires heavy machinery and construction equipment, as well as trained personnel with proper safety gear. Learn more about the ongoing repair work at Ontario Place.

We are making all efforts to minimize disruptions to public access during construction. However, as protecting public health and safety at Ontario Place is paramount, we will be closing areas of the site, and limiting public gatherings and events.

Learn more about access to the site during construction.

Development partners

In addition to the free public spaces, parkland and waterfront access, visitors will also have the opportunity to experience year-round entertainment and recreational activities, delivered by Therme Canada and Live Nation.

Therme Canada and Live Nation were selected in 2021 as development partners through a Call for Development process, and will lease the land from the Government of Ontario.

Therme Canada

Therme Canada will create an all-season, family-friendly health and wellness experience with something for all ages and interests, including:

• pools and waterslides
• botanical spaces to relax
• sports performance and recovery services
• restaurants with an exciting dining experience

Outside on the West Island, people will enjoy approximately 12 acres of free, publicly accessible gathering spaces, trails, parkland, gardens, easy access to the water and a new beach.

Therme Canada is also a partner of local and global arts and culture organizations and will bring inspiring programming to Ontario Place. This will give people the opportunity to enjoy a day of fun at the waterfront and participate in arts and culture experiences beyond those offered in traditional galleries and museums.

Live Nation

Live Nation will redevelop the existing amphitheatre into a modern, year-round indoor-outdoor live music and performance venue that will attract world-class artists and events.

Protecting the iconic amphitheatre lawns, the new venue will have an expanded capacity of 20,000 in the summer and close to 9,000 in the winter. It will offer a unique indoor/outdoor experience with operable exterior walls to accommodate events, rain or shine.

Recommended design concepts

View the exciting new recommended design concepts for the future public spaces and parkland at Ontario Place, as well as the development partners.

Engagement

As we continue to move forward, public input is critical to support the planning and redevelopment of the Ontario Place site. This includes planning and development related to:

• the Category C Class environmental assessment
• public space
• heritage

Public engagement began in fall 2021 and will continue throughout 2023. We are engaging the public, stakeholders, and Indigenous communities to ensure all perspectives from across the province are recognized and considered.

Consultation

Visit EngageOntarioPlace.ca to learn more about the planning and development work underway and find out how to participate in upcoming engagement opportunities.

You can also visit the virtual public engagement room to learn about the recommended design concepts for the public spaces and parkland at Ontario Place.

Updates will be available on this page throughout the redevelopment process.