A plan for a giant ferris wheel-type attraction at Queen Victoria Park in Niagara Falls has met a cool reception from some residents and the New Democrat MPP for the area who says it’s not a good fit for the prized green space.
The Niagara Parks Commission has given private sector companies until June 23 to submit proposals to create the new attraction that was outlined in mid-December in the Destination Niagara plan.
The province announced the plan as a means to double tourism in the city where some 13 million visitors from across Canada and the world travel each year.
That plan includes ideas like the new observation wheel, as well as creating more casinos and redeveloping a historic, former hydro station into a five-star boutique hotel. It also includes redeveloping the Niagara Parks marina in Fort Erie, and an all-season, 3.8-kilometre electric tram through Queen Victoria Park.
But Wayne Gates, MPP for Niagara Falls, is hoping a petition he’s organized against the observation wheel will convince the province that putting the attraction smack dab in the middle of cherished green space next to the falls is a foolhardy idea.
Gates, who has posted several videos on Facebook speaking out against the observation wheel, said in a span of just 14 hours he had 2,500 people sign the petition.
“They’re very upset,” he told CBC News, noting the wheel could obstruct views of the falls from the park.
“Queen Victoria Park is public green space beside Niagara Falls, a natural wonder of the world,” he added.
Some comments in response to Gates’ videos on Facebook were in support of the wheel. One, for instance, said Niagara Falls needs more attractions to bring in more tourism dollars. Another gave a hearty thumbs up to the plan. “[I] hope it’s even bigger than the one on Clifton Hill.”
The city already has one observation wheel, the $10-million, 17-storey Niagara Skywheel atop Clifton Hill, a short distance away from Queen Victoria Park. The 20-year-old wheel with heated and cooled, enclosed gondolas stands next to attractions on the hill such as wax museums, a go-cart track and funhouses. Observation wheels look very similar to ferris wheels, but are often larger with enclosed seating.
“It fits in with Clifton Hill, with all the other stuff they have,” said Gates. “But it certainly doesn’t fit in a park, in our green space.”
In one of his videos, he said the city doesn’t need a second ferris wheel as he points to the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side behind him.
“The most beautiful place in the world, and they’re telling us we need a ferris wheel to draw people here. It’s absolutely ridiculous.”
“I support tourism, smart investment,” Gates told CBC. “This is not smart investment.”
In its request for proposals, the Parks Commission said as part of the province’s plan to elevate the local $3-billion tourism industry “to the next level” by seeking the private sector to design, build, finance, maintain and operate a “world-class observation wheel under a long-term lease lease agreement” subject to provincial approval.
Katy Wassenaar, senior manager of public affairs for Niagara Parks, said the attraction won’t cost her agency or taxpayers anything.
“This is an entirely private sector funded opportunity,” she said. “Niagara Parks will not be investing any money toward the project.”
In a statement to CBC News, Niagara Parks chief executive officer David Adames said his agency issued a request for proposals for the attraction on Dec. 15 with an original closing date of May 21. That closing date has been extended until June 23.
“As this is an active procurement, Niagara Parks is not able to provide further comment,” he said.
Ontario Tourism Minister Stan Cho’s office said the observation wheel is part of a plan to position Niagara as a “premier, world-class destination, doubling the number of visitors each year” by investing in tourism attractions, hospitality, arts and transportation to boost revenue and create more jobs.
Kristen Laura of Niagara Falls, who signed Gates’ petition, said it’s critical to protect Queen Victoria Park greenspace from development.
“It just feels like a total shame that it’s not being appreciated and protected,” she told CBC News. “The gardens are so well manicured and it’s so beautiful. It would be just terrible to rip it up for a Ferris wheel.
Laura questions whether doubling the number of tourists is feasible, noting in peak tourism it’s difficult to find a parking spot with her seasonal Parks parking pass as it is now.
“It’s far too congested as it is,” she said.
Chris Bittle, MP for St. Catharines, also chimed in on the issue with a Facebook post decrying the idea of a ferris wheel in the park in the city where he grew up and where he worked in the tourism industry while in school.
“One thing I heard time and again from American visitors was how much more beautiful the Canadian side of the Falls is than the American side,” he said. “That didn’t happen by accident: It’s the result of generations of stewardship by the Niagara Parks Commission, which has protected the natural beauty of the Falls and the parkland surrounding it.”
Bittle said protecting the public spaces that residents love and visitors come to enjoy should remain the Parks’ primary responsibility.
“What exactly is gained by tearing up parkland for another attraction? Will tourists really spend more time in Niagara Falls because we have two ferris wheels instead of one?”
