Item - 2019.TE5.26

City Council considered Items EX5.1, TE5.26 and TE5.27 together.

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council adopt the recommendations of the Exhibition Place Cultural Heritage Landscape Assessment (CHLA) attached as Attachment 4 to the report (April 10, 2019) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District, and direct City Planning staff to utilize the Cultural Heritage Landscape Assessment and its recommendations in the development of the Exhibition Place Master Plan.

2. City Council direct City Planning staff to use the Cultural Heritage Landscape Assessment to inform more detailed study and to bring forward recommendation for inclusion of Exhibition Place as a "significant cultural heritage landscape" on the City's Heritage Register and/or designation under either Part IV or Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act.

3. City Council adopt the proposed Master Plan study framework as described in the report (April 10, 2019) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District to guide on-going work on the Master Plan.

4. City Council direct City Planning staff to undertake public consultations on the development of the Master Plan, including consultations with various stakeholder groups, the community at large and the Indigenous community.

5. City Council request the Province of Ontario to work jointly with the City on the revitalization of Ontario Place and develop a coordinated planning process that leverages the opportunities and synergies of both the Ontario Place and Exhibition Place sites, and has regard for the City's Guiding Principles, City objectives for the development of the central waterfront, and existing City and Exhibition Place plans.

6. City Council forward a copy of the report (April 10, 2019) from the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District to the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place for its information  and direct City Planning staff to work with the Exhibition Place Board of Governors to coordinate work on the Master Plan with development of the new Strategic Plan for Exhibition Place.

The purpose of the report is to provide a summary of the Cultural Heritage Landscape Assessment (CHLA) completed for Exhibition Place, to afirm its importance in informing the on-going Master Plan exercise for Exhibition Place and to oultine the next steps for the Exhibition Place Master Plan process. 

Exhibition Place is a unique City-owned site comprising approximately 192 acres of land within the Central Waterfront area.  The lands are situated between the Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard West, with access points from Lake Shore Boulevard West, Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue.  Exhibition Place is an important asset to the City, hosting major public events and celebrations and is the City’s only dedicated downtown "exhibition" ground.  It is also an important venue for trade and consumer shows, conferences and major sports and entertainment events.

The CHLA provides a comperehensive assesssment of the heritage of Exhibition Place and its significance.  Exhibition Place is home to a remarkable collection of heritage buildings set in a heritage landscape tracing its origin back to the original Provincial Exhibition.  There are 18 listed or designated buildings on the site, many surrounded by  unique landscaped open spaces which reflect the character and era of the buildings and structures they support.  The site also includes interpretative installations, landmark entrances, commemorative and historical plaques and public art, as well as known archaeological resources and areas of archaeological potential. 

Exhibition Place has evolved over time, but it has sustained a dedicated focus on agricultural education and exhibition use.  Through its architecture, designed landscapes and the axial planning that characterized the design of exhibition grounds across the continent in the early twentieth century, Exhibition Place remains a unique surviving example of this kind of cultural heritage landscape in North America.

Over the years, a number of planning exrecises have focused on Exhibition Place,  including some that have referenced a joint planning exercise with Ontario Place.  Concurrently, new facilities such as Hotel X and the BMO Field have opened on the grounds.  City staff have continued to work with the Exhibition Place Board of Governors and the Province on updated plans for Exhibition Place to identify opportunities and guide change.  The Exhibition Place Master Plan and the Cultural Heritage Landscape Assessment will play a critical role in the continued evolution of Exhibition Place, including future business planning and decision making for this unique City-owned property.   The Master Plan exercise will be informed by and coordinated with work on the new Exhibition Place Strategic Plan.