Un aquarium géant à Toronto

[Mat]

By Alana Power, National Post
Toronto city councillors vote next week on a plan to build a 14,000-square-metre aquarium at the base of the CN Tower.

“Canada has never really had a big aquarium; why wouldn’t it be at the biggest city, at the biggest tourist attraction,” said Gordon McIvor, vice-president of Canada Lands Company, a federal agency that owns the five-acre plot of land the CN Tower sits on.

Canada Lands sought private proposals for three undeveloped acres at the site; it chose Ripley Entertainment to build a three-storey aquarium that is to feature a variety of aquatic species, from jellyfish to sharks.

If the plans are approved, the aquarium should open in three years. The project includes the 14,000-square-metre aquarium as well as an adjoining 4,353 square metre retail development on the west side of CN Tower.

“It’s not an unanticipated use for the area,” said the local city councillor, Adam Vaughan. “It really gives tourists in the area one more thing to do.”

Ripley will lease the land from Canada Lands. Mr. McIvor said Canada Lands conducted several studies on the best use of land around the tower, and all recommended an aquarium, Mr. McIvor said.

“We’ve been interested in Toronto for quite a while,” said Tim O’Brien, Vice President of Communications with Ripley Entertainment, part of the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! empire owned by B.C. entrepreneur Jimmy Pattison.

“The land below the CN Tower is an amazing location for us,” he added, citing its proximity to the Entertainment District and waterfront.

Ripley currently has aquariums in Gatlinburg, Tenn., and Myrtle Beach, S.C. The Tennessee aquarium features more than 1.4 million gallons of water and 10,000 sea creatures. This one will be better, Mr. O’Brien said.

“We’re excited to do this because we have a lot of ideas,” he said. “Each time you do it you get better,” he added.

The Toronto and East York community council will vote on a rezoning of the area to allow for the aquarium on Tuesday. If passed, it will be presented to city council for final approval.

David Whitaker, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto, said he had heard of initial plans for the Ripley Entertainment development that would include meeting space that could augment the nearby Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

‘‘New products are always good. Having a diversified product is part of the charm of Toronto.”

Mr. McIvor said the aquarium will give the almost 2 million people who visit the CN Tower every year another place to visit.

“People want to do multiple things,” he said. “It’s going to significantly enhance Toronto as a destination.”

Source : Massive aquarium slated at CN Tower - Posted Toronto

[chat.too.ee]

Oooh cool ça. Ça nous donnera une occasion de revenir à Toronto