Ontario Place ideas are plentiful

Superhero theme park, Venice-like canals are among suggestions given

A week ago, the Star reached out to readers via social media to get their thoughts on the future of Ontario Place. After the stories ran on the weekend, readers followed up with a fresh round of ideas.

“I have always thought Ontario Place should be remodelled into a theme park for the Canadian superhero team Alpha Flight, whose members include the world famous Wolverine,” wrote reader Bobby Brown.

“The other well-known Cana- dian superhero, Deadpool, could also be included. This would give tons of work for Canadian designers, actors, tech people for animatronics, rides etc. It would attract a huge number of tourists from the U.S. and around the world while showcasing Canada and Canadian talent.

“Other exhibits could include a display of the history of Canadian superheroes from the 1940s to the present.”

As Brown points out, Wolverine was conceived of as a Canadian character and Deadpool also hails from Canada and was recently played by Canadian Ryan Reynolds. Alpha Flight was a team of Canadian superheroes, by Marvel Comics. Brown said redeveloping the 155-acre Ontario Place site is an opportunity to think big.

“I think Canadian cities can learn a lot from one another.” TOM SHANAHAN RETIRED TEACHER

“Canada, most of the time, when we market ourselves, we market ourselves for all of our natural wonders and multicultural cities, but as far as a big theme park, like a Disneyland, that is really out-sized and reaches out to the rest of the world — we don’t really have that,” Brown said. Readers Tom and Michele Shanahan said they would like to see a series of Venice-like canals on the site, bordered by small boutiques and restaurants that could be converted to skating rinks during the winter.

Shanahan, a former Montrealer, said he got the idea from Expo 67, which he attended. Ontario Place was inspired in part by the success of that world fair held in Montreal.

“I think Canadian cities can learn a lot from one another,” said Tom Shanahan, a retired school teacher.

He said he’d like to see more wide lakeside boardwalks at the Ontario Place site — to take advantage of the views of the city — and a sandy beach where people could swim.

Reader Fred K. Wong suggested the site be turned into an EcoResort with educational activities for all ages. He said it would be a great spot for a fish hatchery, greenhouses and gardens, as well as a bird and wildlife habitat.

Toronto Councillor Cynthia Lai polled her constituency on the social media website WeChat and found some support for a casino.

“Only building a casino can make a profit,” wrote one respondent, suggesting a multistorey parking lot to accommodate at least 5,000 cars, with an underground passage for direct access to the casino and shopping mall.