For a second time, Therme Group has reworked the plans for Therme Spa at Ontario Place in Toronto, Canada, after concerns were raised about the size and scale of previous designs.

The indoor footprint will now range 32,600sq m, roughly 14 per cent smaller than the first design amendments and almost half of the entire 65,000sq m site that Therme’s lease covers.

The project has experienced public controversy and planning scrutiny since it was first announced in 2019 as part of a redevelopment plan for the area, when Therme Group was chosen as the developer by the Ontario government.

When the vision for the project was unveiled, the ensuing concerns were focused on the site’s potential to overwhelm the natural landscape of the West Island, its encroachment on significant heritage elements in the area, environmental concerns and a lack of sufficient public space.

The first revision took place in 2023, following consultations with the Mississaugus of the Credit First Nation (MCFN), City of Toronto planning staff and public meetings. This reduced the original indoor footprint by 25 per cent and reduced the heights of the buildings.

Updated design

Diamond Schmitt Architects and Therme ARC have worked in collaboration with Trophic Design, Studio Tla and the MCFN to overhaul plans for the spa, which will now consist of two main buildings that will each be 26.3 metres and 45.15 metres tall (a reduction of 22 and six per cent).

The site’s footprint has been reduced by separating out the parking structure and distributing several smaller units across its campus-style layout – rather than featuring one continuous block.

The complex is designed into three experiential zones: Play, Relax and Restore. The Play zone will have a wave pool and more than 20 water slides – one of which winds in and out of the building.

The Relax and Restore areas will include a series of mineral pools, cold plunges, 14 saunas, nine steamrooms and an ice fountain.

Surrounding the spa, there will now be three outdoor swimming areas, a sandy beach and a lake-access pier.

A public trail will encircle the spa and link up with the Martin Goodman Trail and the East Island, allowing for 16 acres of publicly accessible parkland.

The property will also offer multiple food and beverage offerings set among botanical gardens.

There will also be programming for families during the day and nightlife events on weekends. The plans show two new pavilions as venues for cultural programming, designed to host festivals.

There are also plans for 10 acres of new aquatic habitat, including six acres of constructed wetlands.

Construction is due to begin in Q2 2026 with an expected opening in 2029. Therme projects 2.6 million annual visitors by the fifth year of operation.

Tickets to the facility will begin at approximately CA$40 (US$29, €25, £22) while children under three will enter for free.

Background

Therme is leasing the West Island and will pay the local government (the Province of Ontario) an estimated CA$1.1 billion (US$0.8 billion, €0.7 billion, £0.6 billion) in rent as well as an estimated CA$855 million (US$624 million, €533 million, £459 million) in maintenance fees for the Ontario Place parklands.

Therme’s upfront capital investment to revitalise the area is CA$700 million (US$511 million, €437 million, £376 million).

Therme is spending approximately CA$500 million (US$365 million, €312 million, £269 million) of the sum on designing and building the facility.

The group is spending CA$200 million (US$145 million, €125 million, £107 million) on repairing the West Island to stop the flooding and erosion that has damaged the shoreline – though Therme does not own this land. The money will go towards investing in the new beach, trails, trees and gathering spaces. The Province of Ontario is contributing up to CA$25 million (US$18.3 million, €15.6 million, £13.4 million) towards the construction of these public spaces.

Therme Group’s expansion

Last month, Therme Group announced a partnership with CVC Capital Partners to create a holding company called Therme Horizon. This new company will facilitate the expansion of the Therme concept in Europe.

Read more about this deal and the other global projects Therme plans here.