Michael Taube: Doug Ford’s win-win plan for the Science Centre and Ontario Place

Michael Taube: Doug Ford’s win-win plan for the Science Centre and Ontario Place

The plan is clearly designed to enhance the use of existing facilities and promote travel and tourism

Article content

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is determined to make Ontario Place, the long under-utilized entertainment venue and park located along Toronto’s waterfront, into a world-class destination for individuals and families. This requires a major overhaul that’s bound to please some residents, and frustrate others. The latter seems especially true for those who love science — and hate change.

Advertisement 2

Article content

To begin with, the Austrian-based resort developer Therme signed an agreement with the province to build a $350-million private spa and a $100-million public waterpark on the site. Enthusiasm for the project was mixed.

Some doubted whether the redevelopment proposal would attract a high volume of visitors. Others, like Alex Bozikovicthe Globe and Mail’s architecture critic, snarkily wrote that it was “a caricature of how a suburban conservative thinks about public space: waterpark! Endless parking!”

The general mood soured even further when it was reported that the Ontario government had leased a portion of the land to Therme for 95 years. It’s a lengthy agreement, to be sure. It’s easy to understand why some people felt a 20-30 year lease made more sense. That being said, it’s not unusual for individuals, businesses and governments to sign long, multi-year lease agreements.

Article content

Advertisement 3

Article content

A 99-year lease has been a historic component of British common law. As someone whose family has been involved in private mortgages and investments for nearly a century, this type of agreement wasn’t out of the ordinary. Some other examples include the Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory between China and the United Kingdom, the Panama Canal and Ontario’s Highway 407.

There does, however, seem to be one 99-year lease that Ford’s critics are quite pleased to support. It’s right at the very heart of the Ontario Place controversy, in fact.

This relates to the Ontario Science Centre’s current location. The land is owned by the City of Toronto and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. The two entities agreed to a joint lease with the province in 1965, which ends on June 30, 2064.

Advertisement 4

Article content

Ford recently announced he wanted to move the Ontario Science Centre to Ontario Place as part of his redevelopment plan, and proposed building new housing on the property. However, the 99-year lease only allows it to be used “for purposes of operating as a science centre.”

Hence, Ford will have to negotiate with all the interested parties to get out of the existing lease and craft a new one. That could be complicated to arrange. It’s unclear whether the premier and his staff knew this beforehand, but it seems unlikely.

Putting the lease aside, why are so many people objecting to this?

For some, it’s a matter of nostalgia and tradition. They went to the Science Centre on school trips and with their parents. In turn, they may have taken their children and showed them the rooms and exhibits they loved to see and experience. A new location wouldn’t resonate in the same way.

Advertisement 5

Article content

Others are concerned that the move could lead to more traffic jams, noise and commotion on Toronto’s waterfront. Some of Ford’s critics believe it’s nothing more than a distraction from his recent controversy involving Greenbelt construction projects. There are also suggestions that the premier’s plan to build more housing is flawed because the price point would be too high for many prospective buyers.

And, as is often the case, many Torontonians are complaining because they complain about everything. That’s not a unique reaction in a large city, but it really festers in Hogtown.

I see things quite differently about the premier’s redevelopment plan. Moving the Ontario Science Centre to Ontario Place would be an opportunity for families to do several activities at once. Why couldn’t you have fun learning about everything from astronomy to zoology at a museum, and then go to a waterpark on a hot sunny day? There could be two-for-one ticket prices, combined events and more areas for children to play, discover and run free.

Advertisement 6

Article content

It ensures the entire facility would be used year-round. Having gone to both locations on multiple occasions as a child, adult and parent, crowds can be fairly sparse depending on time and weather conditions. A combined effort would justify the costs of running both venues. Seasonal activities could also be introduced to encourage more local visitors and international tourists to drop by.

Additional housing, which Toronto sorely needs, would be created. Alternatively, Ford mused about building a school and community centre there. The city and province could also consider a combination of housing and business developments.

There’s no ulterior motive in the Ford government’s plan. It’s clearly designed to enhance the use of existing facilities, promote travel and tourism, increase profit margins and potentially build more housing. If it helps make Ontario Place a regular destination spot instead of a once-in-a-blue-moon after-thought, then maybe his proposal should be described as an exact science (centre).

National Post

Michael Taube, a columnist for Troy Media and Loonie Politics, was a speechwriter for former prime minister Stephen Harper.

Comments

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

Join the Conversation

#Michael #Taube #Doug #Fords #winwin #plan #Science #Centre #Ontario #Place

What’s your Reaction?
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
TOP