As the parking lots and buildings at Exhibition Place transform into one of Toronto’s biggest festivals for the annual Canadian National Exhibition, there are growing concerns a provincially-led redevelopment could limit future celebrations.
The arrival of the middle of August means the dawn of the CNE, its crazy food options, wild carnival rides and the unofficial end of summer.
A cloud has been cast over the annual celebrations this year, however, as organizers worry potential plans to build a parking lot for a future spa, science centre and concert venue at Ontario Place could impact CNE festivities in years to come.
“East-west pedestrian flow is fundamental to our success. If we get to a point where it’s too compressed, that can’t happen anymore and that can really throw our event into turmoil,” Darrell Brown, CEO of the CNE Association told Global News.
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“This is supposed to be a community gathering place, it’s …