'Put a little love back': What's behind the $1-billion Queen's Park makeover
It's an awe-inspiring structure of pink sandstone looming over University Avenue.
But at 130 years old, Queen's Park desperately needs a makeover and the provincial government warns many systems in the building are close to failing.
Government House Leader Paul Calandra has introduced legislation to establish an office to plan and fund a restoration expected to take at least eight years to complete and cost north of $1 billion.
The walls of the 'Pink Palace' conceal asbestos, lead that makes tap water undrinkable, and a rat's nest of wiring in a building where electricity was added last minute.
Clanking radiators set temperatures at either scorching hot or the equivalent of an icebox.
"It has served us very well for a very, very long time," Calandra told CTV News Toronto on Tuesday. "The time has come to put a little love back into the place."
The renovation secretariat will be able to draw on lessons from a multi-billion dollar overhaul of Centre Block on Parliament Hill.
The walls of Queen's Park are seen in this image.
"All of the heritage that is within here is going to be documented, it will be preserved, and this will be brought back to what it was originally, but with modern day safety and security features built into it," Calandra said.
He first came to the Ontario legislature as a political staffer in 1995 and Calandra says he always shows visitors the building's sweeping grand staircase first.
But there's danger in the iconic feature.
"If a fire were to break out here, given that it's all wood...this would put the entire assembly at risk and all the people who work in here immediately at risk," Calandra explained.
A remodelled Queen's Park will need to eliminate barriers for elected officials, staffers and visitors. Going through the main entrance of the legislative chamber requires a three-stair climb. It's another step up to benches where MPPs sit.
The secretariat will be tasked with finding a temporary home for legislators while Queen's Park is gutted. Calandra says that space will likely be an office building of some kind that is safe, accessible, and close to the public service.
The hope is that the current slate of parliamentarians will be the last to sit at Queen's Park before the remodel.
Calandra is excited about peeling back paint to reveal forgotten art and throwing open the doors.
"We can invite more people back into the building and make this the centre of life for the people of Ontario, something that we haven't been able to do."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada's most wanted fugitive arrested in P.E.I. in connection with Toronto homicide
A suspect in a fatal shooting in Toronto’s east end last summer has been arrested in Charlottetown, just one week after he topped a list of Canada’s most wanted fugitives.
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
Wisconsin school district says active shooter 'neutralized' outside middle school
A Wisconsin school district said an active shooter was 'neutralized' outside a middle school in Mount Horeb on Wednesday, and no one inside the building was injured.
Concerns about plexiglass prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall plexiglass barriers.
Toddler of Phoenix first responder dies after bounce house goes airborne
A two-year-old child died after a strong gust of wind sent the bounce house he was in airborne and into a neighbouring lot in central Arizona, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.
Harvey Weinstein appears in court after his New York rape conviction was overturned
Harvey Weinstein was back in a New York courtroom Wednesday for his first appearance since an appeals court last week overturned his 2020 rape conviction and ordered a new trial.
Dental care program starts accepting claims for 1 million seniors
The first seniors to register with the new federal dental care plan can now start submitting claims.
Lawyers for man accused of killing 4 women to argue he's not criminally responsible
Lawyers for a Winnipeg man accused of killing four women say they plan to argue that he is not criminally responsible because he is mentally ill.
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship
A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.