Former Progressive Conservative premier Bill Davis is weighing into the debate to ensure a crucial piece of Toronto waterfront remains âa family placeâ â with no casino.Davis, at age 89 a revered figure in the Progressive Conservative party, made the comments about Ontario Place in response to questions the Star put to thinkers, planners and politicians about the siteâs future being pondered by Premier Doug Ford and his PC government.Some are calling for major development but most experts said revitalization steps to date â a walking and biking trail named after Davis in 2015 and the east islandâs 7.5-acre Trillium Park â are steps in the right direction.âOntario Place was conceived as a family place, with attractions, entertainment, food services, play and theatre areas aimed at the family,â Davis said in a statement, adding its superb Lake Ontario location made it accessible from all directions and âgenuinely family friendly.ââWhile any site decades old needs renewal and investment, the core idea of a family friendly amusement and enjoyment centre, affordable for all, with perhaps a Ferris wheel, more programming for children, more interactive displays, more cultural and museum facilities, more room for sports and family, makes immense sense,â he said.Proposals kicked around for years to revitalize the 155-acre park with iconic Cinesphere dome, futuristic over-water âpodsâ and man-made islands have new urgency as the Ford government says everything, including a casino, is on the table as it seeks a âworld-class attractionâ for the site.Read more: Readers have lots of ideas for Ontario Place redevelopment Opinion | Edward Keenan: âNothing can be savedâ at Ontario Place? Thatâs simply not trueComments trigger alarm bells over fate of Ontario PlaceBefore being toppled last June, the provincial Liberal government solicited but failed to choose fr ...
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