Ontario Place Corporation has issued a request for bids for the interior renovation of the historic West Island Pavilion Pods, with the aim to transform the Pavilion Pods into multipurpose event spaces.

The successful bid will support the interior renovation of Pod 1 and the main level of Pod 2; the construction of kitchen facilities and a universal washroom; accessibility improvements and an elevator to access the Pods; and upgraded electrical, mechanical and data capabilities.

Ontario Place’s five Pavilion Pods were originally built in 1971 as multimedia exhibition spaces and a restaurant overlooking Lake Ontario. The steel and aluminum Pods were designed by Eb Zeidler for the original construction of the site.

The revitalization of the Pavilion Pods is part of a broader plan to turn Ontario Place into a year-round waterfront destination. Work on the attraction is being completed in phases. The first phase included the opening of Trillium Park and William G. Davis Trail, which was completed in June 2017 and added 7.5 acres of new parkland to Toronto’s waterfront on the East Island of Ontario Place. In November 2017, Ontario Place re-opened its iconic Cinesphere theatre. The next phase includes the transformation of the East Island into a Celebration Common and the West Island into a hub for culture, discovery and innovation.

“We are continually making improvements to the site to welcome people back to Ontario Place while transforming it into a vibrant, year-round place to explore and visit,” said Penny Lipsett, Chair of the Board, Ontario Place Corporation, in a press release. “The Pods are going to be multipurpose and offer new opportunities for programming and events hosted by Ontario Place as well as through rentals.”