Exactly one year after plans were announced to overhaul Toronto’s Ontario Place with a massive water park and indoor spa, among other attractions, the latest designs set to go to city council in the fall are igniting concerns of equity and accessibility for downtown residents.

“It just seems tone-deaf to what downtown people want, and it is, after all, our neighborhood,” said Duane Rollins.

“This seems like another plan to take away space, livable space that we are already so short demand of down here.”

The presentation, which details what the decommissioned waterfront park will look like, was released by the province last week. It is currently being evaluated by Waterfront Toronto’s Design Review Panel, which will weigh in with recommendations and come to a decision early next year. 

According to the plan, which is still in its design and approval phase, construction on the site will move from west to east, taking roughly 10 years to complete. The west island will house the water park with a retractable roof and a massive indoor spa is expected to undergo construction in 2024 to 2025.

The reopened venue is expected to boost the city’s economy, and is projected to welcome five million visitors per year in addition to creating 3,600 new jobs.

Rollins says the revamp will attract people from out of town, but it is not what local residents are calling for.

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