Waterpark Developments

[Proof Sheet]

Originally Posted by c_speed3108

https://maps.google.com/?ll=45.31352...32701&t=h&z=15

There is tons of room around there to expand. No need for expensive bridges. This is not a high density area by any stretch!

It all sounds so simple...but have you ever tried dealing with MTO in getting a bridge approved over their highway...lands on the south side may not be for sale...and are highly unlikely to be in a favourable zoning.

On a related note, looking around Google Street View of Calypso is not the best advertisement for the canadian physique.

[gjhall]

Originally Posted by Proof Sheet

It all sounds so simple...but have you ever tried dealing with MTO in getting a bridge approved over their highway...lands on the south side may not be for sale...and are highly unlikely to be in a favourable zoning.

On a related note, looking around Google Street View of Calypso is not the best advertisement for the canadian physique.

In a rural municipality like this, probably very pro-development, zoning is unlikely to be an issue. Whether the land is for sale, perhaps.

[toaster]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

We already have Mont-Cascade and Calypso, why do we need a third one. Bring on a full fleged amusement park like La Ronde and Wonderland.

Probably would be 10x the cost. Barrhaven is closer than Limoges most people in Ottawa, minus maybe Orleans. If anything, Calypso will be hurt, not the other way around.

[Harley613]

Alottawatta is being built (tentatively) by Pro-slide as a test park for their new slide designs. Theoretically this would be a much cooler park than Calypso, possibly more 'thrill' and 'adult' oriented.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Proof Sheet

On a related note, looking around Google Street View of Calypso is not the best advertisement for the canadian physique.

While populated by very nice people (who sadly just took a big hit with the fire at the St-Albert cheese factory), the landscape of Prescott-Russell is just SO bland. I know the area well and driving along its country roads is just so depressing. The areas south and southeast of Orleans, which are part of the City of Ottawa, are also very bland. Seriously - it almost looks like rural Manitoba. (No offence to Manitoba.)

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by c_speed3108

https://maps.google.com/?ll=45.31352...32701&t=h&z=15

There is tons of room around there to expand. No need for expensive bridges. This is not a high density area by any stretch!

I wasn't sure if the land was contiguous or bounded by parking lots, Highway 417 and the planned developments surrounding. The most logical addition would be to the east or northeast.

[Dado]

Originally Posted by Acajack

While populated by very nice people (who sadly just took a big hit with the fire at the St-Albert cheese factory), the landscape of Prescott-Russell is just SO bland. I know the area well and driving along its country roads is just so depressing. The areas south and southeast of Orleans, which are part of the City of Ottawa, are also very bland. Seriously - it almost looks like rural Manitoba. (No offence to Manitoba.)

It's such a contrast to the Netherlands. The Dutch have managed in the space of little more than half a century to change former seabed into productive farmland with tree-lined roads in Flevoland:

http://maps.google.ca/maps?ll=52.739...149.48,,0,-0.6

[Proof Sheet]

Originally Posted by Dado

It's such a contrast to the Netherlands. The Dutch have managed in the space of little more than half a century to change former seabed into productive farmland with tree-lined roads in Flevoland:

http://maps.google.ca/maps?ll=52.739...149.48,,0,-0.6

The symmetry of that area from above (go to the aerial) with the pattern of farm houses is incredible.

Prescott-Russell is pretty devoid of visual excitement due to its flat topography and fairly quiet towns. I imagine over time it has actually lost rural population. Rockland is growing due to its proximity to Ottawa and there may be some growth in Hawkesbury but not much else.

[Dado]

Originally Posted by Proof Sheet

The symmetry of that area from above (go to the aerial) with the pattern of farm houses is incredible.

What particularly impressed me was the clustering of the farmsteads along the roads. So obvious and it ensures that everyone has a few neighbours. And no overhead power lines, either.

Note that the town to the south, Urk, is a former island and fishing village that was incorporated into the enclosure dyke. Since Urk is an old island of glacial till soils, some of that soil extends north of the town, explaining the nearby planted forest. Apparently the dialect is completely different from the surrounding countryside.

Prescott-Russell is pretty devoid of visual excitement due to its flat topography and fairly quiet towns.

But flat topography doesn't have to condemn you to absolute dullness. Granted, even tree-lined roads will get a tad boring after awhile, but it's better than the alternative. Also the Dutch roads are narrow - basically a one-lane road that limits the ability to speed.

I imagine over time it has actually lost rural population. Rockland is growing due to its proximity to Ottawa and there may be some growth in Hawkesbury but not much else.

[andy129]

Alottawata's opening has been pushed back at least until 2015 as per their web site http://www.alottawata.com/index_en.html

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by andy129

Alottawata's opening has been pushed back at least until 2015 as per their web site http://www.alottawata.com/index_en.html

WHY DO WE NEED ANOTHER WATER PARK!!!! We already have two for God's sake!

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

WHY DO WE NEED ANOTHER WATER PARK!!!! We already have two for God's sake!

I believe that these people had their plans in the works before Calypso was announced, but that they then got scooped and beaten to the punch by Calypso in a big way.

Since then they've basically been scrambling to see what they can do (if anything) to make this work with Calypso in the same market as them.

My sense is that instead of building another water park someone should build a permanent amusement park with rides, etc.

Now that's something that is missing in this region.

[kevinbottawa]

Originally Posted by Acajack

I believe that these people had their plans in the works before Calypso was announced, but that they then got scooped and beaten to the punch by Calypso in a big way.

Since then they've basically been scrambling to see what they can do (if anything) to make this work with Calypso in the same market as them.

My sense is that instead of building another water park someone should build a permanent amusement park with rides, etc.

Now that's something that is missing in this region.

Maybe they could build the waterpark as a part of an amusement park. Perhaps they could partner with an amusement park operator who can operate the amusement park part and they could operate the waterpark part.

[OTSkyline]

Exactly. I do not really see the point of having another water park in the Capital Region. But I do agree, a year-round amusement park. You would think with a regional population of 1.25 + million people (continuously growing) that we could sustain this. (Montreal has La Ronde, Toronto has Canada's Wonderland and Calgary (although does not have an amusement park, at least has a nice big zoo).

What if we built a "mini" Walt-Disney World in the boonies? Think of it being built around Rideau Carleton Raceway or something... with a big amusement park, small theatre/concert hall, a couple of restaurants, a new and improved Casino and gambling facility (since one downtown seems to be out of the question), a couple of hotels etc, etc, etc... Possibilities are endless.

[eternallyme]

They should just cancel their plans. If they stay the course, they are doomed for failure.

[waterloowarrior]

ProSlide, the company behind Alottawata is an Ottawa-based company that is a world leader in waterslides. They have expanded their business quite a bit recently. It would be great for them to have a showcase waterpark here. Here is a Feb 2013 article

http://www2.canada.com/ottawacitizen...a-06ab013ccfc6

[Norman Bates]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

What if we built a "mini" Walt-Disney World in the boonies?

Mother says we already have one of these in Ottawa.

[1overcosc]

Alottawatta has a lot to live up to for it to even compare to Calypso. Calypso's built up a huge brand recognition in the region and it's considered by critics to be one of the best waterparks in the world. It would be much better for ProSlide to just partner with Calypso to put some of their rides there.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

Exactly. I do not really see the point of having another water park in the Capital Region. But I do agree, a year-round amusement park. You would think with a regional population of 1.25 + million people (continuously growing) that we could sustain this. (Montreal has La Ronde, Toronto has Canada's Wonderland and Calgary (although does not have an amusement park, at least has a nice big zoo).

What if we built a "mini" Walt-Disney World in the boonies? Think of it being built around Rideau Carleton Raceway or something... with a big amusement park, small theatre/concert hall, a couple of restaurants, a new and improved Casino and gambling facility (since one downtown seems to be out of the question), a couple of hotels etc, etc, etc... Possibilities are endless.

Once upon a time I think this was the plan of the organization behind Super Ex.

[MountainView]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

Exactly. I do not really see the point of having another water park in the Capital Region. But I do agree, a year-round amusement park. You would think with a regional population of 1.25 + million people (continuously growing) that we could sustain this. (Montreal has La Ronde, Toronto has Canada's Wonderland and Calgary (although does not have an amusement park, at least has a nice big zoo).

To the NW of Calgary they have 'Calaway Park' - sort of an amusement park with rides and a couple of rollercoasters but geared more towards the under 17 crowd and their parents. They also have a place to park your RV and camp for the weekend. Ottawa could probably do something like this and make it work.
I wish Ottawa had a world class aquarium or zoo. I think more people would visit something like this over an amusement park. Not many Canadian cities have an aquarium. I thought there was talk of putting one at Lansdowne? They should put it where the movie theater is 'going'