Therme Canada Ontario Place is proposed to be redeveloped as a new all-season, entertainment and leisure destination in Toronto, Canada, by Therme Group, a global developer of wellness centres.
The project will involve an investment of more than C$350m ($280.66m) and will form part of the C$500m redevelopment of the 1km-long Ontario Place.
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The Government of Ontario selected Therme Group, Ecorecreo Group and Live Nation for the redevelopment of Ontario Place in July 2021. Ecorecreo Group will develop a new adventure park while Live Nation will redevelop the existing Budweiser Stage amphitheatre at the site into an indoor-outdoor live music and performance venue.
In August 2023, Therme Canada unveiled an updated design for the West Island of Ontario Place. The redesign includes significant changes and enhancements to the public space, incorporating feedback from various stakeholders.
Therme Canada unveiled a refreshed design for the development in July 2025. The revised concept aims to strengthen connections between people, place and well-being, while providing broader public access to the waterfront, integrating indigenous-led design principles and delivering immersive, family-oriented leisure experiences.
The Therme Canada Ontario Place project is expected to generate more than 2,000 jobs during the construction phase and 800 permanent jobs when operational. The destination is set to attract approximately three million visitors a year.
Location of Therme Canada Ontario Place
Therme Canada Ontario Place is located at 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West on three artificial islands on Lake Ontario in Toronto. It is situated south of Exhibition Place and south-west of downtown Toronto. The location can be accessed by car and public transportation.
The proposed project will be developed at the iconic Ontario Place, a popular park and event venue that was operational between 1971 and 2012.
The site reopened to the public in 2017, but was plagued with deteriorating infrastructure, recurring flooding and unsuitable ground conditions. Combined with safety concerns and ageing utilities, these shortcomings did not meet the government’s plans for the site.
To remedy the current limitations, the redevelopment of Ontario Place, including the free public park, will involve extensive structural and landscaping works across the property.
Therme Canada Ontario Place design details
The design of Therme Canada Ontario Place is centred around four main components: a new entrance pavilion along Lake Shore and Boulevard West; new parkland and beach spaces; a new bridge to the West Island; and the main building.
The main building was originally designed as a single, large structure with multiple floors, but the updated design unveiled in 2023 modified the Therme building to be composed of a campus of buildings, reducing the overall volume by 25%.
Adjustable rooftop pools will enable a transition between the interior and exterior during the summer season. The rooftop park and landscaping will flow over the Therme buildings, providing new views of key landmarks and the waterfront.
The exterior covering of the building is designed with an energy-efficient, triple-layer, bird-friendly glass placed on a steel structure.
The entrance pavilion will feature three transparent vaults designed in the shape of a trillium flower. It will act as an information and exhibition space while providing connectivity to the West Island event space.
The West Island will feature four acres of public space, including parks, rooftop trails and gardens, bringing the total public space at the project to approximately 16 acres.
The Therme Bridge will be a green space and public pathway that will create a public link between mainland Toronto and the West Island. Visitors will be able to access the island park and the new public beach using the pathway, which will also include a large new plaza.
The Eastern Headland will include larger public spaces and protection of the natural elements. The parklands and beach areas will be developed in the space surrounding the main building.
A new above-ground parking facility on the site will provide capacity for as many as 3,500 vehicles to give visitors straightforward, convenient access to Ontario Place.
Alongside parking, the site will be served by a range of travel options, with access available by bicycle, on foot, by boat and via public transport, including connections from Exhibition Station on the planned Ontario Line.
Facilities at Therme Canada Ontario Place
Therme Canada Ontario Place will feature ten swimming pools, waterslides and a wave pool, 14 saunas, nine steam rooms, cold plunge pools, more than 20 water slides, as well as sports performance and recovery facilities.
Additionally, the new resort in Ontario will include botanical gardens with thousands of plant species and hundreds of palm trees to provide publicly accessible green spaces.
A public beach and pedestrian and cycling paths offering improved connectivity with Lake Ontario will also be developed. The new resort will provide fun and health-focused programmes and affordable wellness therapies.
The theme park and entertainment facility will be equipped with advanced water and air purification technologies.
Visitors can also participate in sports and fitness activities and access the walking/bicycle path along the extended William G Davis Trail.
Furthermore, the facility will host local arts, cultural events and performances in collaboration with local organisations.
The venue will include several options to enjoy food, including cafes, fine dining restaurants, grab-and-go spaces, hydration points, live cooking and salad bars.
Key players involved
Therme Group selected a design team led by its architecture division Therme ARC and Diamond Schmitt, an architectural company based in Canada. The team also includes STUDIO tla, which will provide landscape design, and Baird, which was appointed as the shoreline engineer.
The refreshed design unveiled in 2025 was developed by Diamond Schmitt in collaboration with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, STUDIO tla and Trophic Design.
Other members of the team include Arup, BA Group and LMDG, which will provide civil engineering services, transportation consultation and building code consultancy services, respectively.
