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
  • 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

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

  • water quality improvements
  • shoreline repairs
  • soil remeditiation
  • 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 events, social gatherings and areas with additional seating to bring friends, families, individuals and tourists together to create lifelong memories and experiences.

As the Ontario Place redevelopment continues, we will work with the Ontario Science Centre to explore opportunities to have science-related tourism and educational programming at the Cinesphere and Pod complex.

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.

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 2019 as development partners through a Call for Development process, and will lease the land from the Government of Ontario.

Map of the Ontario Place showing the tenanted areas. Live Nation is on the east island and Therme Group on the west island. The map also shows Trillium Park on the east edge of the east island.

View a larger version of this map (jpeg)

Therme Canada

Therme Canada will build 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, 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.

Artist rendering of Therme Group Ontario Place. Outdoor view of attraction with public promenade.

Live Nation

Live Nation is redeveloping 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.

Artist rendering of redesigned Budweiser Stage with the retractable walls open.

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 site-wide environmental assessment
  • public space
  • heritage
  • site servicing

Public engagement began in fall 2021 and will continue throughout 2022 and 2023. We will continue to engage 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 proposed design options for the public spaces and parkland at Ontario Place.

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