A $60 million indoor/outdoor waterpark and event complex is being planned for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) with construction scheduled to start in the spring of 2015.
The development group behind the project, marbleLIVE, is led by Toronto entrepreneur John Barrack and marblemedia, one of Canada’s leading multi-platform content creators. The 9290-m2 (100,000-sf) attraction will include a retractable roof, which will allow the complex to operate 365 days a year. The facility is expected to be fully operational by the fall of 2016.
“This attraction will be far from your typical waterpark,” said Mark Bishop, Co-CEO marblemedia. “We are going to bring our company’s expertise in digital media and storytelling to create a purpose built digital media experience that will be the first attraction of its kind.”
The development group is currently in discussion with city officials in Mississauga and Toronto about potential sites. They have also been briefing Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport about the boost the attraction will have on the tourism industry in the Toronto and surrounding urban regions.
“We now have a short-list of three locations,” said Barrack. “Our final decision will be based on our intricate design and operational needs, as well as visitor accessibility.”
The all-season, indoor/outdoor waterpark will bring employment opportunities to the Greater Toronto Area during the development stages of the complex and, once fully operational, it will employ approximately 230 full-time personnel. The development group expects to attract more than half a million visitors within its first year of operation, according to a press release.
