Rally to tell government: “Don’t throw away millions – keep Ontario Place open”

TORONTO, Feb. 23, 2012 /CNW/ - The public is being invited to join the fight to keep Ontario Place open while "revitalization" plans are being developed:

Date:	Saturday, February 25, 2012
Time:	10 a.m.
Location:	Ontario Place 955 Lakeshore Blvd. W. Main entrance Toronto

Two 20-foot banners calling on the public to "Save Ontario Place" will be unveiled.

Speakers at the rally will include Eduardo Almeida, OPSEU's 1st Vice-President/Treasurer, Rod Bemister, OPSEU Region 5 Executive Board Member, Joe Ferreira, OPSEU Local 523 President, Paul Miller, MPP/NDP Critic for Tourism and Culture, Rosario Marchese, MPP for Trinity/Spadina, and Jaime Carnevale, maintenance administrator for Ontario Place.

The immediate closure of Ontario Place, announced on February 1, came as a shock to employees and the public. In 2011, the Ontario government invested more than $10 million into improvements and new attractions. Attendance rose 89 per cent from the year prior and revenues increased upwards of 59 per cent. Revenues at the iconic Cinesphere increased as much as 80 per cent.

Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, says that the closure is premature and a waste of taxpayers' money. "In 2011, the Ontario government spent $10 million in upgrades, an investment that was long overdue. Ontario Place was already turning the corner when the government pulled the rug out from under it. It could stay open during the revitalization, and 70 full-time jobs and 600 students' jobs would be saved."

For more information: www.saveontarioplace.ca

Karrie Ouchas, OPSEU Communications - 1-800-268-7376, ext. 8245