How it Sparkles!

Zeidler’s forward-looking attitude is still noticeable when looking at the design of Ontario Place today. Extending out over the waters of Lake Ontario, workers created artificial islands for the various buildings and entertainment options of Ontario Place. Workers also built a seawall to protect the site from rough lake waters. They achieved this by sinking three old freight ships to form a barrier: the Douglas Houghton, Howard L. Shaw, and Victorious.

The massive Cinesphere, the central dome-shaped building, and five connected pods served as entertainment, exhibition, and restaurant space. The first permanent IMAX theatre in the world, the Cinesphere was advanced for its time. It was also massive: measuring 90 feet high and 120 feet in diameter. Inside, the theatre sat a whopping 1,000 people for films displayed on a six-story screen. Zeidler believed the cinema would make moviegoers feel like they were “floating in space.” The structure was especially radiant at night, described as a “sparkling fantasy,” covered in lights that made it a brilliant sight next to the lake. In 1975, Ontario Place won in the “fantasy and delight” category at the American Society of Interior Designers Awards. Exploring the waterfront today, we see countless buildings of steel and glass that represent modern city living. At Ontario Place, we see the first spark of what the modern lakefront would become.

Yours to Discover

In its early years, there seemed no end to the types of entertainment Ontario Place offered. There was an 1,800-square-foot roller-skating rink. Visitors to the outdoor theatre, called the Forum, could enjoy both classical and contemporary music and many different performances from ballet to shows of performing stunt dogs. This arena-style space seated an impressive 2,000 people with room for 6,000 to view the stage from the surrounding hills.

In 1972, a land of fun and excitement opened for young adventurers, known as the Children’s Village. When it opened, it featured numerous play spaces, such as a “foam swamp” where brave kids navigated a pit of foam pieces covered by a blue tarp. In 1978, Ontario Place became home to Canada’s first water slide, and a later 1989 ad mentions bumper boats, water cannons, and even gondola rides. The price of one adult admission to Ontario Place in 1971 was 50¢, and in its early years, the site drew huge crowds. In 1974, almost three million people passed through its gates.

Want to enjoy a visit to 1971 Ontario Place? Check out this vintage promotional video by the Ontario Department of Trade and Development. The video becomes especially energetic at 6 minutes and 50 seconds.

Looking to the Future

Ontario Place was closed by the Government of Ontario in 2012, after years of diminishing attendance and revenue. In the years following, Torontonians became concerned about the site’s future. Many worried that the Province would allow developers to demolish the site.

In 2019, Ontario Place was added to the city’s Heritage Register. This decision recognized the venue’s historical importance, noting its completion was a major achievement of engineering, and landscape design, reflecting a Modernist expression of integrated architecture. It also recognized the impact this site’s opening had in changing Torontonians’ relationship with the waterfront. Local advocates have campaigned to preserve the Cinesphere and pods and keep the site open for everyone’s enjoyment. The future of Ontario Place remains unclear: in 2020, the World Monuments Fund added it to the watch list for important cultural heritage sites at risk.