The Toronto Islands have been closed to visitors all summer after high water levels caused massive flooding.( Rick Madonik \/ Toronto Star ) | Order this photo <\/p>\n
By Emma McIntoshStaff Reporter <\/p>\n
Mon., July 10, 2017 <\/p>\n
Centreville is considering extending its season into the fall after the city announced Monday that some sections of the Toronto Islands will stay closed all summer while others will reopen at the end of the month. <\/p>\n
Sections of Centre Island, where the amusement park is located, will be shut down until further notice, along with other popular destinations like Olympic Island, Gibraltar Point and Hanlans Point. <\/p>\n
For the businesses on the islands that rely on the busy summer season, such closures make a huge impact, said Centreville spokesperson Shawnda Walker. <\/p>\n
Were ready to go and weve been ready to go for more than three weeks now, as far as waters concerned, Walker said. Were just sitting here, waiting. <\/p>\n
In a statement Monday, the City of Toronto said other sections of the islands will re-open to the public on July 31 a date that could be pushed back if weather conditions intervene. Centreville, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, hopes to be reopened by that date. <\/p>\n
Toronto Island Park has been closed to the public since early May, when heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding on the islands in what the city called a 100-year event. Monday, the city said water levels on Lake Ontario are receding slower than expected. <\/p>\n
The city said businesses are missing out on as many 20,000 daily visitors during the summer closure. <\/p>\n
City council also voted to stop collecting rent and licence fees from island residents and licence holders until the full scale of the floods financial impact is known. <\/p>\n
Even if the amusement park does re-open before summers end, not all of its beloved features will be back in time. <\/p>\n
The animals in the Far Enough Farm petting zoo will likely stay put at their temporary home northwest of Toronto in Schomberg, Ont., where they were moved during the flooding. Their barns were submerged in water, and some pens are still soggy, said Walker. <\/p>\n
By the time we get everything rebuilt itll be too late, she said. <\/p>\n
Parts of the tracks for the train ride, as well, only just stopped being underwater. Itll likely have to be completely rebuilt. <\/p>\n
Thankfully, said Walker, thats the only ride that was affected, and everything else aside from the waterlogged grandstand will be ready whenever visitors arrive. <\/p>\n
Though a few season pass-holders have called to ask if theyll be refunded, Walker said park officials will figure that out once theyre able to open. When they get an idea of how much business is coming in and how many boats are running to the island, theyll also decide whether theyll stay open until October. <\/p>\n
For now, Walker said shes expecting about three to four days notice before the park will be able to re-open. Though she said shes hopeful theyll get the all-clear on July 31, it would be better if the go-ahead arrives even sooner. <\/p>\n
We thought we were going to be open three weeks ago, she said. Im really hoping its going to be earlier. <\/p>\n
Read more: <\/p>\n
As water encroaches, Toronto Islands are haunting <\/p>\n
Photos: Toronto Islands virtually a ghost town as flooding persists <\/p>\n
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Some areas of the Toronto Islands will be closed all summer, officials say - Toronto Star<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Toronto Islands have been closed to visitors all summer after high water levels caused massive flooding.( Rick Madonik \/ Toronto Star ) | Order this photo By Emma McIntoshStaff Reporter Mon., July 10, 2017 Centreville is considering extending its season into the fall after the city announced Monday that some sections of the Toronto Islands will stay closed all summer while others will reopen at the end of the month. Sections of Centre Island, where the amusement park is located, will be shut down until further notice, along with other popular destinations like Olympic Island, Gibraltar Point and Hanlans Point. For the businesses on the islands that rely on the busy summer season, such closures make a huge impact, said Centreville spokesperson Shawnda Walker. Continue reading