Ford says he's 'very satisfied' with Therme deal at Ontario Place after review
CBC
At the unveiling of the final designs for the province's controversial redevelopment of Ontario Place Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford said he had reviewed Ontario's deal with Therme and is "very satisfied," despite allegations the company had misrepresented itself in its bid to run a spa on the site.
This spring, the Ontario government was grilled over allegations first published by the New York Times that Therme exaggerated the number of spas it was running in Europe at the time.
Auditors had also found the company was losing money and had less than one million euros in equity, according to the New York Times.
The allegations followed an auditor general's report from late last year that found the contracting process — which landed Therme its 95-year lease at the site — was not "fair, transparent or accountable."
Ford said in April the province would re-examine the deal, and reporters asked him for an update at a news conference at Ontario Place Tuesday.
"I did double check, and I'm very, very satisfied," Ford said.
Ford was asked where Therme is getting financing for its project, but said he didn't know.
"It's none of my business, as long as they come here," he said. "But they seem to be moving forward and have financing."
Before any of the allegations against Therme, the project had already drawn criticism for including a private, luxury spa on a provincially-owned public space.
Images released at Tuesday's unveiling show designs for Therme's waterpark and spa on the west island, as well as the relocated Ontario Science Centre on the mainland, an expanded concert venue at the current site of the Budweiser Stage and a multi-storey parking garage.
The redeveloped Ontario Place will also have more than 50 acres of public trails, green space, playgrounds and beaches, as well as an updated marina, Ford said.
On Tuesday, Ford repeated the province's claim that the redeveloped Ontario Place is expected to draw up to six million visitors a year. That figure has been disputed by experts, who note that the CN Tower only draws 1.8 million visitors annually, and Ford's prediction would put Ontario Place on par with the Eiffel Tower as a draw for tourists.
"Our government is returning this iconic destination to the people of Ontario," Ford said. "We're building a world class, year-round destination for everyone to enjoy."
The province first announced its plans to redevelop Ontario Place in 2021. The site opened in 1971 but was closed in 2012 after years of declining attendance.
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