Plan for Ontario Place adventure park derailed by lease dispute, company says

A Quebec-based company that was slated to build an adventure park at a revitalized Ontario Place will no longer be involved in the project, the Ministry of Infrastructure confirmed with CityNews on Thursday.

Écorécréo Group won’t be taking part in the reimagining of the iconic location, the ministry said, citing “unforeseen challenges.”

In an update later Thursday, Écorécréo Group elaborated, saying the two sides parted after failing to agree on a long-term lease.

“Despite best efforts from both parties, we were unable to finalize terms as part of the long-term lease agreement. As such, we will not be finalizing a commercial agreement related to the Ontario Place opportunity,” Écorécréo’s co-owner, Jean-Philippe Duchesneau, said in a statement.

The now-quashed plan would have included a park with aerial courses, zip lines, escape games, and climbing walls.

Ministry of Infrastructure spokesperson, Sofia Sousa-Dias, told CityNews it’s not yet clear what will happen to the land that Écorécréo had previously planned to use for the park.

“The future uses of the portion of land previously proposed for lease by Écorécréo have yet to be determined and will remain open for future opportunities.”

The ministry re-confirmed that those opportunities will not include a casino or condos.

Sousa-Dias added the government doesn’t believe the failed deal with Écorécréo Group will affect the schedule of the revitalization plan.

“We don’t anticipate any impacts to the project’s timeline,” she said in an email to CityNews.

“Repair work on the Cinesphere, pods, and bridges is proceeding on-schedule this fall. Site servicing, including sewage, water, electrical, and gas, is expected to begin in the spring of 2023. We are on track to bringing Ontario Place back to life …”

The redevelopment is expected to be complete by 2030.

In a promotional video posted last July, Duchesneau said: “We are very excited to bring you a new innovative adventure park at Ontario Place. One that will create a magical atmosphere while offering immersive family friendly activities for all ages.”

Related:

• Reimagined Ontario Place draws interesting reactions

• Ontario Place transforming into ‘year-round’ attraction, Budweiser Stage to get makeover

Écorécréo Group was one of three companies chosen by the province to take part in the ambitious revitalization plan.

The other two companies are Therme Group and Live Nation. The ministry confirmed they are both still involved.

“While Écorécréo will no longer be a part of our vision, we continue to proceed with the revitalization project with our partners at Therme Group and Live Nation,” Sousa-Dias said.

Live Nation plans to revamp Budweiser Stage and transform the venue into a “modern, year-round indoor-outdoor live music and performance venue.”

Therme Group, which describes itself as a global wellbeing organization, promises a year-round family-friendly experience “featuring unparalleled, affordable and accessible opportunities to experience fun, entertainment and wellness in an immersive destination.”

“We’re creating a new public park, bigger than Trillium Park, with areas for people to walk, run, bike, and swim,” Therme said in a statement to CityNews in August, 2022.

“It’s going to be a huge draw for families and people across Ontario, and tourists to Toronto.”

Ontario’s Ministry of Infrastructure has previously told CityNews that once redevelopment is complete, “the public will have free access to over two-thirds of the site year-round.

With files from Mark McAllister