This EA process has been…

Numéro du REO

019-7311

Identifiant (ID) du commentaire

92129

Commentaire fait au nom

Individual

Statut du commentaire

Commentaire

This EA process has been flawed from day 1. The entire exploration process of redevelopment possibilities at Ontario Place seems fishy. There were supposedly 30+ different proposals, but the Province refuses to publicize the other proposals. On the surface, that's not a big deal, but when the proposal selected requires a $500 million parking garage, paid for by the tax base, the tax base should be allowed to see the other options (which presumably required more than $0.5 billion in subsidies).
Additionally, a waterpark and spa is not a financially viable option for long-term prosperity on this site. The lease is 95 years... Ontario Place opened 50 years ago. So this spa is supposed to remain competitive and in high-demand for twice as long, while the original Ontario Place hasn't lasted nearly that long at the same level of popularity. Great Wolf Lodge is entirely privately funded, built on private land, and they're building another location near Cornwall. Therme should buy their own land and pay for their own facility (and necessary parking). That way, taxpayers aren't on the hook at all if the venture doesn't do as well as Therme Group and the Province is anticipating.
Ontario Place sits on prime land and is publicly owned. That's rare. So instead of spending hundreds of millions on a garage, why not keep the land in public hands and spend one tenth of that money on revamping Ontario Place as a truly world-class park (akin to NYCs Central Park) with revitalized attractions and amenities for the people of Toronto, the people of Ontario, and everyone who passes through.
We have the opportunity to create a legacy-creating public space on our biggest city's waterfront. A tacky waterpark is not going to do that. At best, it will become outdated and underutilized as the decades roll on. At worst, it will fail spectacularly and become a massive, glass scar on the lakeshore.
Please, for the sake of us as Ontario residents and taxpayers, consider or at least release the other options.
Thank you.