Vintage Photographs of Ontario Place in its Prime

December 14, 2016 Joel Levy History, The City

I grew up in the 80s and early nineties and even though Canada’s Wonderland was making an impact with their amusement park, I always loved Ontario Place and its emphasis on the word park.

While searching the archives, I came across some new photos that I had not seen so I decided to make a collections of vintage photographs from Ontario Place. The photos are from its prime during the 1970s and 1980s. I hope you enjoy them and be sure to leave a comment with your memories and photos.

1970 - Pods being completed
1970 – Pods being completed
1971 Ontario Place Opening Day Fireworks
1971 – Cinesphere to wind up the opening day festivities at Ontario Place Saturday night. The $23 million provincial showcase opened its gates free to the last 3;000 visitors at 9:30 p.m.; just before wind-up display of fireworks.
1973 Children's Village
1973 – Children’s Village
At the heart of Ontario Place is the Cinesphere an 800-seat cinema with an 80-foot-by-60-foot screen
At the heart of Ontario Place is the Cinesphere an 800-seat cinema with an 80-foot-by-60-foot screen.
1980-1984
1980 – Cinesphere at Night
1986 - Wilderness Adventure Ride
1986 – Wilderness Adventure Ride
Ontario Place
CN Tower being completed in background
Ontario Place
HMCS Haida
Ontario Place
The paddleboat paths were awesome.
Ontario Place
Who remembers getting caricatures at Ontario Place?
Ontario Place
Paddleboating under the pods with the HMCS Haida in the background
Ontario Place
The Children’s Village in the background
Ontario Place
Paddleboat path ends at the rollerskating rink
Ontario Place
The first waterslide at Ontario Place
Ontario Place
Paddleboat marina
Ontario Place
Rollerskating rink
Ontario Place
HMCS Haida with the CN Tower in the background
Ontario Place
Loved it when the pods on the left were run by Nintendo and Lego. Was my life in the 80s.
Ontario Place
Mega Maze was dope. I loved trying to beat the time by casually running in between markers.
Ontario Place
Awesome restaurant patio on the water.
Ontario Place
Children’s Village
Ontario Place
Waterslide
Ontario Place
The best ride ever! I Loved the Wilderness Adventure Ride.
Ontario Place
The Wilderness Adventure Ride

Ontario Place Ontario Place Ontario Place Ontario Place Ontario Place Ontario Place Ontario Place Ontario Place Ontario Place Ontario Place Ontario Place Ontario Place Ontario Place Ontario Place

Ontario Place
1984 – Concord flying over Ontario Place
1976 - View of children playing in ride at Ontario Place
1976 – View of children playing in ride at Ontario Place
Ontario Place
the 370-foot long; $400;000 water slide attracted mostly youngsters when it opened officially yesterday; and it was a race to see how often they could get to the top for another slide before their half-hour ran out. It costs $2 for 30 minutes of fun – and most agreed it was a bargain
Ontario Place
Bumper Boats

Ontario Place

Ontario Place
1980 – 84 – Playland at Ontario Place
Ontario Place
1980 – 84 – Playland at Ontario Place
Ontario Place
1980 – 84 – Bumper Boats and HMCS Haida
Bumper Boats at Ontario Place
Bumper Boats at Ontario Place

Ontario Place

Children's Village at Ontario Place
Children’s Village  – One of the most dangerous things was running through these heavy bags. It was like Russian roulette head-butting.

Ontario Place Ontario Place Ontario Place

Inside one of the pods at Ontario Place
Inside one of the pods
Ontario Place
Bumper Boats in front of HMCS Haida
Ontario Place
Peddle Boats
Ontario Place
Aerial View
Ontario Place
Aerial View
Ontario Place
The Forum
the forum
The Forum
peddle boats
Paddleboats traversing the rivers

toronto skyline The Gong Gardens out front Toronto skyline

Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson at the Forum
Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson at the Forum

 

For more images from the Toronto Archives, visit their website.

You can also find images on the Toronto Library archives.

 

 

 

 

About Joel Levy 2603 Articles
Editor-In-Chief at Toronto Guardian. Photographer and Writer for Toronto Guardian and Joel Levy Photography
Website Instagram

Related Articles