Therme Canada has released a newly evolved project design for its West Island of Ontario Place destination. The facility will deliver Therme Group's signature year-round family-friendly destination attraction concept alongside four more acres of public parkland.

It comes at the same time as Therme Manchester has submitted a new design for planning approval. Both updates followed consultations with the public in Toronto and Manchester, UK.

The Therme Canada Ontario Place update features new areas designed with input from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) and also incorporates feedback from public meetings, community engagement and City of Toronto planning staff.

Changes include:

• New campus-style layout of the West Island with four more acres of public space, including parks, rooftop trails and gardens, bringing the total to nearly 16 acres.• New public gathering spaces designed in partnership with MCFN.

• New design features that celebrate the history and heritage design of the original Ontario Place with enhanced views of the Pods, Cinesphere, downtown skyline and Lake Ontario.

When complete, the Ontario Place public parkland will become the largest public gathering space on Toronto’s western waterfront.

“The refreshed design delivers the same great waterpark and wellbeing attractions, but thanks to feedback, it has even more open parkland, more natural spaces, more public trails, and more places for people to gather,” said Dr Robert Hanea, Therme Group* CEO and chair.

“After this revitalisation, there will be more public space than currently exists on the West Island, and we’re proud to advance a project that responds so meaningfully to the feedback we’ve heard so far.”

New design for Therme Manchester

Meanwhile, the new Therme Manchester design includes three entrances to welcome guests arriving from all directions.

Enhanced access will also be provided for cyclists and pedestrians using public transport. Plus, a newly landscaped green boulevard will cater to individuals arriving by car to Therme Manchester and the nearby Trafford Palazzo.

A decision has also been made to commit to heat pumps and to incorporate photovoltaics above the car park and on the roof of the logistics hub.

Pending planning approval, the £250 million (US$317.8 million, €291.4 million) construction is set to commence later this year, with an estimated duration of 24 months for completion.

Therme has taken on board the comments from the public consultation and will continue to listen and engage with community groups.

*The Therme blueprintGuided by the principle of wellbeing for all, Therme develops, designs and operates large-scale wellbeing oases that combine thermal bathing, sauna treatments and family-friendly water-based features with cutting-edge architecture, cultural programming and immersive arts experiences.

Each Therme location across the world is designed as an accessible urban retreat, offering both a health and wellbeing spa and next-generation waterpark attractions. Every Therme facility responds uniquely to its location, tailoring its offerings to meet community ecological, economic and cultural conditions.

Therme currently operates four locations in Germany and Romania, which collectively attract many millions of visitors per year. Additionally, it’s developing new sites in mainland Europe, the US, Canada, Scotland and Asia Pacific, including South Korea.