Frustration is growing in Niagara Falls, Ontario, with no clear progress on the fate of Marineland and the belugas
Residents of Niagara Falls, Ontario, are awaiting news about the future of Marineland property and dozens of animals, including 30 belugas and four dolphins — nearly two months after the federal government rejected the theme park. Request to export mammals,
The shuttered park and zoo once attracted millions of visitors and employed hundreds of seasonal workers.
Its real estate is vast, spanning approximately 324 hectares on the doorstep of Canada’s most popular tourist destination – Niagara Falls.
“Every time I drive by, it makes me really sad,” said local Realtor Shelby Tomlinson. “I see it sitting vacant and I think we could use that space for something really good.”
At the Falls Manor restaurant, not far from Marineland, everyone CBC News spoke to had a personal connection to the property and an opinion on what should happen to it.
Vince Forte worked in theme parks, deer parks, and guest services for two summers in his teens.
He said he would like the property to “provide the same jobs to residents or children of Niagara Falls that they provided for us.”
“Now, there’s really not much to them.”
Whales complicate investment prospects
Another restaurant patron, Barry Bowmore, said deciding the fate of Marineland is “very important.”
He wants the property to bring jobs back into the community, and that could include turning it into “a huge entertainment center that will attract not only kids, but adults as well.”
Established in 1961, Marineland did not open last season and is closed to the public through the end of summer 2024. The park has been attempting to sell its assets, including its rides, but has faced financial and other challenges.
After the amusement park’s owners, John Hollar, died in 2018 and his wife and heiress Mary Hollar in 2024, the property was placed in a trust.
Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati said there is interest from land developers to build homes on the Marineland site, but that it would be a mistake.
The property could fit three O-shaped theme parksF Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Florida And is major tourist land which is very close to the waterfall.
“It was a huge employment opportunity, it was an investment generator, economic growth,” he said. “It has the potential to do that again.”
But one major complication remains: what to do with the beluga.
Diodati said he regularly meets investors interested in purchasing the property, “but they are all scared of creature liability.”
The cost of caring for the beluga and four dolphins is estimated at $2 million per month.
In early October, after Marineland Canada’s application for a permit to export belugas to an aquarium in China was rejected, the park asked Ottawa for emergency funding to care for the animals, otherwise it would “face the devastating decision of euthanasia.”
once one of Most Popular Tourist Destinations In the Niagara region, Marineland has been in a difficult situation since Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act Legislation banning the use of whales, dolphins and porpoises for breeding or recreation in Canada came into force in 2019.
Marineland has also faced controversy over the years over allegations of animal abuse. at least 19 belugas There have been deaths at Marineland since 2019.The last orca, Kiska, died in 2023,
“We’re kind of stuck in the middle of what it used to be and what it’s going to be,” Diodati said of the park.
Many ideas have emerged on how to rehome whales.
A Proposed seaside sanctuary in Nova Scotia The whale sanctuary project was announced five years ago, but it may be a long way from becoming a reality. Project officials have said the site can accommodate only eight to 10 whales.
Some experts say transporting the whales will be challenging, as their current health status is not publicly known and the stress of transportation is a concern.
US-based company proposes entertainment complex
“What we see is the best option and the most humane and compassionate option is to keep the whales close to home,” said Leah Caruso, chief marketing officer at Knapp Capital Management.
The New Jersey-based company is proposing a $4 billion entertainment complex at the Marineland site.
The Niagara Experience and Oasis of the Falls will include a hotel, a casino, a sports complex, an entertainment venue and a whale sanctuary.
Caruso said they are ready to begin caring for the belugas and dolphins immediately, and will hire all existing staff to do so.
The plan also includes an on-site data center, which will generate revenue to care for the animals.
But Caruso said that after talks with the province and municipality, “progress has stalled” in getting the necessary approvals because Knapp Capital Management has yet to hear anything further.
“We’re not asking taxpayers to pay for anything. We just need a partnership with the government,” Caruso said.
On Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford was in Niagara Falls announcing a billion-dollar plan to build new attractions and bring more tourism to the area.
Asked about local concerns about the lack of progress on Marineland, he said, “Marineland is in charge of it. It’s not a government site.”
but on someone request from province Regarding the property, he said, “We will look into it.”
CBC News contacted Marineland for comment on Knapp Capital Management’s proposal, but did not receive a response by publication time.
“It seems that we have not yet reached the perfect opportunity.” Diodati said. “But we’re very open to it. We’ll meet with any group that has an idea.”
