Downtown Toronto's newly-renovated "public backyard" could soon be headed the way ofactualbackyards for most of the city's residents: Nonexistent.

After months ofunclear and foreboding commentsabout the future of Ontario Place, Doug Ford's provincial government just announced that they are now accepting proposals for the sprawling site's redevelopment.

A news release published Friday afternoon states that the province's "new vision for Ontario Place" will "maximize investment to develop the site as a top destination to visit, while sending a strong signal around the world that Ontario is open for business."

I'm guessing this means emphasis on a casino, HUGE ferris wheel, not so much on condos.#OntarioPlace#ONpoli#TOpolihttps://t.co/Tavmdg3X4y

— Rob Wolvin (@TorCentre)January 18, 2019

Ideas for making this happen floated by Minister of Tourism Michael Tibollo include buildling sports and entertainment landmarks, shopping spaces, public parks and additional "places for recreation" on the 155-acre complex.

No part of the site is safe, according toan Expression of Interest document, except for "the land where the Budweiser Stage is situated," as it is already subject to an existing lease.

This means that theiconic Cinesphere, pods, mainland and islands are all up for grabs (or demolition, as it were.)

If you grew up in the GTA in the '80s and 90s, you remember Cinesphere, Children's Village, Megamaze, Wilderness Adventure Ride, Nintendo and Lego pods, mini golf, etc.

Ontario Place was a seminal summer destination.

It deserves better than a casino and Loblaws.#TOpoli#onpolipic.twitter.com/Z3WWLlsjN9

— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais)January 18, 2019

Those who choose to bid on the project will have the opportunity to develop "one of Ontario’s most desirable and unique waterfront properties," according to the government, but with some exceptions:

• The government intends to maintain 7.5 acres of park land at Ontario Place, so any submissions involvingTrillium Parkmust also propose "new park land of an equivalent size" somewhere onsite.
• Residential properties are off-limits.
• The land will only be leased, not sold.
• Propsals that require the province to chip in money for planning, design, construction, or operations "will not be considered."

Please do not take down our Cinesphere and pods@fordnation. Please oh please. Ontario place is a wonderful space for our city with incredible modernist architecture that should be cherished!! Please do not take it down.https://t.co/nXxNoZbDkZ

— Siobhan Sweeny (@sweensster)January 18, 2019

None of the documents published to date make anymention of a casino, which should come as some relief to the many Torontonians whohate the ideaof turning our beautiful waterfront paradise into a cheesy gambling hole.

Don't relax too much just yet, though. Aside from the rules mentioned above, it looks like pretty much anything goes in terms of what can be proposed.

Who knows what DoFo and his homies willdecide on our behalfthis time?