The West Island of Ontario Place is undergoing significant development, prompting emotional responses from local residents as they witness the removal of nature in favor of a water park and spa.
The Transformation of Ontario Place: A New Era for Toronto's Waterfront
The Transformation of Ontario Place: A New Era for Toronto's Waterfront
Major changes are underway at Ontario Place as residents bid farewell to its historic charm and embrace a new commercial future.
Francesca Bouaoun awoke one morning to a jarring sight from her 28th-floor condominium overlooking the picturesque Lake Ontario. Overnight, in a swift and covert operation, contractors linked to the Ontario government uprooted over 800 mature trees from West Island—a cherished part of Toronto’s Ontario Place. For many, including Bouaoun, an avid bird enthusiast, these trees symbolized a bond with nature, providing solace and support during the trying times of the pandemic.
The decision to clear the site marked a significant step in the province’s plans to transform Ontario Place into a commercial hub, focusing on a water park and spa to be operated by a European firm. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the myriad details behind this controversial deal.
Bouaoun expressed her devastation, particularly as bird migration season approaches. The trees that once housed and nurtured countless birds would no longer exist, leaving the avian visitors to return to a barren landscape. Residents like Bouaoun, who opposed the commercialization of this iconic area, viewed the tree removal as an alarming prelude to the inevitable changes that lay ahead for Ontario Place—a place that had once been a sanctuary of natural beauty amidst the urban sprawl.
