No casino for Ontario Place, province says

No slots or blackjack for a Toronto waterfront landmark. The province has ruled out a permanent casino for Ontario Place.

The park was shut down this year to give the province time to come up with a revitalization plan.

Minister of Tourism Michael Chan said the province has accepted the recommendation of an advisory panel, led by John Tory, that a casino should not be built on the waterfront park.

“I agree with his recommendation. There will not be a casino built at Ontario Place,” Chan said.

Chan said taking the waterfront park off the table means the advisory panel he set up in February can focus its full attention on how to revitalize it.

“The guiding principle for Ontario Place is to be open for all Ontarians, for all families to enjoy,” Chan explained. “This is from day one, 41 years ago.”

Chan said the government is open to other uses for the complex and the government will issue a request for qualifications later this year.

“We will ask that submissions address parkland, commercial, retail, residential, recreation and entertainment uses for the Ontario Place site — not a casino.”

A new Ontario Place is part of the McGuinty government’s plan to grow tourism through investments that will stimulate Ontario’s economy, create jobs, and develop exciting new opportunities and experiences.”

A town hall meeting was held Wednesday evening to discuss ideas for Ontario Place’s revitalization.

“We made our recommendations as we were asked to do, and we’re asked to recommend specifically what should be done with Ontario Place, and our judgement was as a committee that it should not be a casino. And I think there are lots of other ideas out there,” Tory told 680News.

Some of the ideas presented at the town hall meeting included a year-round open air space for the arts, an education centre, and organic urban farm and a floating hotel.

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