Therme Canada released its updated design for the West Island of Ontario Place “with more public space” following plenty of criticism of its original plans.
“The update features new areas designed with input from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) and also incorporating feedback from public meetings, community engagement and City of Toronto planning staff,” Therme said in a press release. “When complete, the Ontario Place public parkland will become the largest public gathering space on Toronto’s western waterfront.”
Changes include a new campus-style layout of the West Island with four more acres of public space, including parks, rooftop trails and gardens, bringing the total to nearly 16 acres – more than currently exists on the West Island.
Therme says the new public gathering spaces have been designed in partnership with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
New design features celebrate the history and heritage design of the original Ontario Place – including enhanced views of the Pods, Cinesphere, downtown skyline and Lake Ontario, according to a company statement.
“The design that we revealed today delivers the same great waterpark and wellbeing attractions, but thanks to feedback, it has even more open parkland, more natural spaces, more public trails, and more places for people to gather,” said Dr. Robert Hanea, CEO & Chairman of Therme Group. “After this revitalization, there will be more public space than currently exists on the West Island, and we are proud to advance a project that responds so meaningfully to the feedback we have heard so far.”
“The public parkland area has been increased by 35 per cent, to 15.9 acres – meaning there will be more public space on the West Island after the revitalization than there was before. Public pathways on the West Island have been made even wider and spaces for additional food concession areas have also been included,” Therme’s statement added.
“The additional public park space will now run over and through the middle of the Therme buildings, providing additional direct pathways to the water’s edge. The park and landscaping will flow up the roof of the building and will offer new views of the Pods, Cinesphere, downtown skyline and Lake Ontario.
“The bridge to the West Island has been redesigned to be a greenspace and public pathway that takes people from Lakeshore Boulevard West through the entry pavilion to the West Island. The bridge and pathway recreate the path of the Credit River, to honour its significance to MCFN, who have lived and continue to live on the north shore of Lake Ontario. This path includes a large new plaza designed in collaboration with MCFN for future programming.
“The Eastern Headland has been re-designed in collaboration with MCFN, who identified the eastern direction (waabinoong). The updated design features a larger gathering space and better protection from the elements.”
The volume of the Therme building has been reduced by 25 per cent, according to the company. Instead of a single, large structure, the design is now composed of a campus of buildings.
