Residents of Niagara Falls, Ont., continue to wait for news about the future of the Marineland property and dozens of animals, including up to 30 beluga whales and four dolphins, nearly two months after the federal government rejected a theme park proposal. mammal export request.
The shuttered park and zoo once attracted millions of visitors and employed hundreds of seasonal workers.
His property is huge: it covers approximately 324 hectares and is located near Canada's most popular tourist destination – Niagara Falls.
“Every time I drive by, I feel really sad,” said local Realtor Shelby Tomlinson. “I see it sitting empty and I feel like we could use this space for something really good.”
At the Falls Manor restaurant, near Marineland, everyone CBC News spoke to had a personal connection to the property and an opinion on what should happen to it.
As a teenager, Vince Forte worked at a theme park for two summers: in the deer park and in guest services.
He said he would like the property to “give jobs to the people and children of Niagara Falls like they did for us.”
“Now they really have nothing to do.”
Whales complicate investment opportunities
Another restaurant patron, Barry Bowmoor, said deciding Marineland's fate was “very urgent.”
He wants the property to bring jobs back to the community, and that could include turning it into “a huge entertainment center that will attract not only children but adults as well.”
Founded in 1961, Marineland did not open last season and has been closed to the public since late summer 2024. The park is trying to sell its assets, including its attractions, but has faced financial and other problems.
Following the deaths of amusement park owners John Holer in 2018 and his wife and successor Marie Holer in 2024, the estate was placed into trust.
Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati said developers have expressed interest in building homes on the Marineland property, but that would be a mistake.
The area could accommodate three theme parks the size off Disney's Magic Kingdom Florida aThis is the best tourist land located so close to the waterfall.
“It was a big job opportunity and a generator of investment and economic development,” he said. “He has the potential to do it again.”
But the main difficulty remains: what to do with the belugas.
Diodati said he regularly meets with investors interested in buying property, “but they are all scared by the liability of these creatures.”
The cost of caring for the belugas and four dolphins is estimated at $2 million a month.
In early October, after Marineland Canada's application for permission to export beluga whales to an aquarium in China was rejected, the park asked Ottawa for emergency funds to care for the animals or it would “face a devastating decision to euthanize.”
One day one of most popular tourist spots in the Niagara region, Marineland has been in trouble since Whale and Dolphin Captivity Act A law came into force in 2019 banning the use of whales, dolphins and porpoises for breeding or entertainment in Canada.
Marineland has also faced years of controversy over allegations of animal cruelty. At least 19 beluga whales have died in Marineland since 2019. The last killer whale, Kiska, died in 2023.
“We’re kind of stuck between what was before and what will be,” Diodati said of the park.
Many ideas have been floated about how to bring whales back home.
A proposed seaside reserve in Nova Scotia The project, called the Whale Sanctuary, was announced five years ago, but is still a long way from becoming a reality. Project officials said the site could only accommodate eight to 10 whales.
Some experts say relocating the whales will be challenging because their current health status is not known to the public and transport stress is a concern.
An American company offers an 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.
A New Jersey company is proposing to build a $4 billion entertainment complex in Marineland.
The Niagara Experience and Oasis of the Falls will include hotels, a casino, a sports complex, entertainment venues and a whale sanctuary.
Caruso said they are ready to immediately take over the care of the belugas and dolphins and will hire all current staff to do so.
The plan also includes creating a data center on site that would generate revenue from animal care.
But Caruso said that after discussions with the province and municipality, “progress on obtaining the necessary permits has stalled” because Knapp Capital Management has yet to hear anything.
“We're not asking taxpayers to pay for anything. All we need is government partnership,” Caruso said.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford visited Niagara Falls on Monday, announcing a multibillion-dollar plan to create new attractions and attract more tourists to the region.
Asked about local concerns about the lack of progress at Marineland, he said: “That's what Marineland is doing. It's not a government facility.”
But on any requests to the province As for the property, he said, “We'll see.”
CBC News reached out to Marineland for comment on the Knapp Capital Management proposal, but had not received a response by the time of publication.
“It looks like we haven’t found the right opportunity yet.” – said Diodati. “But we're very open to it. We'll meet with any group that has an idea.”
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