Ontario Place Closes...and the child in me has a tantrum

So as a gal trying to make it in this world of Communications & PR, I thought it may be a good idea to write about other things I felt weren't related to my other blog, It's Funnier In Jamaican (http://funnierjamaican.blogspot.com/)...because let's face it...you can only write about so many funny things about your crazy family. But I do promise to write more in that blog in the future (one's family is always a big resource for countless stories).

I'm hearing a lot in the news today about the closure of Ontario Place. I suppose it's for the best...as long as they actually plan on revitalizing it. It's situated right in Toronto on the Lake Ontario waterfront...so a pretty important piece of land. The crowds have been dwindling for years and it's time for a make over. But I can't help but feel a tinge of sadness as I hear this news.

My mom and I used to go to Ontario Place every summer. She wanted to see the amazing concerts that were held in the old Forum and all I wanted to do was go to the Children's Village. Disney Land? Psh! I remember dreaming of going to that Children's Village. It was a massive playground. What kid wouldn't want that? You didn't have to pay per ride, you just played. I remember going inside and being too little for some of the crazy things they had there. I couldn't make it up those ladders that twisted and turned. I got bounced around in those giant bounce houses...before bounce castles became common at kids' birthday parties. I tried my best to keep up with the big kids, and when I became a big kid, I tried my best to cherish each moment because I knew my years were numbered in the magical Children's Village.

Then I remember being 12. What dread! Seeing that Kids 12 & Under sign outside the front was a horrible reminder that I'd have to say goodbye one day. I snuck in again when I was 13...and by the time I turned 14, I was way too cool for it. But I always smiled as I'd walk past the Children's Village and heard the screams of delight from the kids inside.

Then came the worst day. When I was much older I was walking past the Children's Village to get to the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre for Lilith Fair...and I saw it filled with parked cars!! I was mortified. How could they trade the happiness of kids for parked cars? That's pretty much when Ontario Place lost its magic for me. I would have been glad to take my future kids there, play in the same spot I played, then take them over to the cool water park nearby. The Children's Village was magic. I only hope with this closure, the panel they've chosen to redo Ontario Place can bring back that magic.
 

Did I mention I saw Fats Domino, The Temptations, Tom Jones, and James Brown inside the old Forum before it was turned into the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre? I saw some of the coolest acts and had no idea who they were as a kid. I have my mom and her old school taste in music to thank for that.

Gee...I really hope the government of Ontario knows what it's doing. So long for now, Ontario Place.