Mark Medley had a piece in the Saturday Post exploring the future of Ontario Place. He quotes a number of local practitioners, including ERA’s Michael McClelland.
Perhaps we should revisit the past when deciding the future. Michael McClelland of E.R.A. Architects thinks we should look at Zeidler’s original blueprint.
“My hope would be that they’d reinvest in the original ideas,” he says, “and figure out how to improve them, rather then go, ‘That’s all crap; we’re going to take it all away.’ ”
McClelland also points to Zeidler’s unbuilt Harbour City project, which would have created a neighbourhood of 60,000 people on what is now the Toronto Island Airport; [project spokesperson Hugh] Mansfield says plans that include residential elements will not be dismissed.
Read the full article ‘Once a gem, now generally forgotten, what could the future hold for Ontario Place?‘
January 2025 Update
Ontario Place is presently being redeveloped by the Province of Ontario in partnership with Therme Group Canada and Live Nation, which currently leases and operates the Budweiser Stage. With the passage of the Rebuilding Ontario Place Act (2023), the Ontario Heritage Act no longer applies to Ontario Place. Notwithstanding this legislative change, we encourage the Province and its tenants to conserve the cultural heritage value of Ontario Place and mitigate negative impacts associated with its redevelopment.
