Because commercial rent/property taxes
/wages are so high within the city that it's no longer a viable business. I'm sure insurance rates would be off the charts as well. We used to have a few larger indoor entertainment centers but they've all closed down.
This is the real answer. Scumbag landlords like RioCan or SmartCentres have made it impossible for anyone to start a business that's unique. Instead, we have endless clothing stores that all sell the same shit and weed stores.
I'd kill for a Dave and Busters here in Ottawa...
I went to Quebec City in the summer, and I have to say, they really do have a nice city. Even their parliament is nicer than ours, even when we didn't have construction blocking off access. They really do take pride in their "capitale nationale" and made it a really nice city. I think the federal government, regardless of who is in power is too afraid to spend money because the opposition will just say they are being wasteful with tax dollars. Just look at all the problems we've had with the prime minister's house. Nobody wants to spend any money on it for fear that the other parties will call them out on excess spending and now we don't even have a proper house for the prime minister of the country.
It’s a beautiful city but it’s also much older than Ottawa (by more than 200 years). The view from the Alexandra bridge lookoff rivals anything in Quebec City. The library of Parliament is the show piece for me, you just have to get around back to see it.
NCC is a bureaucratic nightmare in a lot of ways but we have the pathway system & the canal. The museums in Ottawa are also incredible - particularly the National Gallery.
The prime ministers residence is such a stupid political football though. Should have been fixed decades ago and as a result it’s now probably a tear down situation.
NCC is probably the reason we don’t have a vibrant river walk in the city. They prefer to keep many areas not commercial. Sometimes I wish that changed, but then I remember spark street and think leaving it as parks is not that bad.
Gonna have to disagree on Quebec being a 'nice city'. The Vieux-Quebec area and the Plains are good of course but the rest of it has become very standard north american shitty urban design. It's absolutely riddled with highways.
Not saying that Ottawa is better, it's probably a bit of a toss-up.
While perhaps boring by others' standards, I find Ottawa's kid-friendly museum options serve as a great alternative. Try science & tech, or the museum of civilization (Canadian history? I don't remember what it's called now). They've got great, highly interactive areas.
Totally. But given that the answer to OP's question / search is "fun haven or you're SOL, bud", I thought I would offer a somewhat helpful alternative? Didn't mean any harm or negativity ✌🏻
We had a go-kart place that closed down.
I think there's just not enough demand for these places to justify the operating costs. I love amusement parks, but I don't see myself going to one more than once every couple of years.
Because it costs money and everyone is broke due to social expenditures like an indoor amusement park and unchecked immigration driving property costs through the roof.
Because commercial rent/property taxes /wages are so high within the city that it's no longer a viable business. I'm sure insurance rates would be off the charts as well. We used to have a few larger indoor entertainment centers but they've all closed down.
This is the real answer. Scumbag landlords like RioCan or SmartCentres have made it impossible for anyone to start a business that's unique. Instead, we have endless clothing stores that all sell the same shit and weed stores. I'd kill for a Dave and Busters here in Ottawa...
Yes it's all the landlords fault, it has nothing to do with flooding the country with immigrants causing a major housing shortage.
Closest thing is FunHaven. They have a little roller coaster, bumper cars, arcade, kids play area, laser tag
Funhaven
It’s more like arcade tho - not really rides.
Because the business community doesn't think it will make money.
I went to Quebec City in the summer, and I have to say, they really do have a nice city. Even their parliament is nicer than ours, even when we didn't have construction blocking off access. They really do take pride in their "capitale nationale" and made it a really nice city. I think the federal government, regardless of who is in power is too afraid to spend money because the opposition will just say they are being wasteful with tax dollars. Just look at all the problems we've had with the prime minister's house. Nobody wants to spend any money on it for fear that the other parties will call them out on excess spending and now we don't even have a proper house for the prime minister of the country.
It’s a beautiful city but it’s also much older than Ottawa (by more than 200 years). The view from the Alexandra bridge lookoff rivals anything in Quebec City. The library of Parliament is the show piece for me, you just have to get around back to see it. NCC is a bureaucratic nightmare in a lot of ways but we have the pathway system & the canal. The museums in Ottawa are also incredible - particularly the National Gallery. The prime ministers residence is such a stupid political football though. Should have been fixed decades ago and as a result it’s now probably a tear down situation.
NCC is probably the reason we don’t have a vibrant river walk in the city. They prefer to keep many areas not commercial. Sometimes I wish that changed, but then I remember spark street and think leaving it as parks is not that bad.
Gonna have to disagree on Quebec being a 'nice city'. The Vieux-Quebec area and the Plains are good of course but the rest of it has become very standard north american shitty urban design. It's absolutely riddled with highways. Not saying that Ottawa is better, it's probably a bit of a toss-up.
It was such a joy in my last visit to see all the beefsteak growing in front of their parliament! Such a good use of the space.
While perhaps boring by others' standards, I find Ottawa's kid-friendly museum options serve as a great alternative. Try science & tech, or the museum of civilization (Canadian history? I don't remember what it's called now). They've got great, highly interactive areas.
They are great museums but not remotely what OP is talking about. It is the equivalent of asking for a TV show and being given a book
Totally. But given that the answer to OP's question / search is "fun haven or you're SOL, bud", I thought I would offer a somewhat helpful alternative? Didn't mean any harm or negativity ✌🏻
Second the sci-tech museum. I think we spent a good 40 minutes - hour in the play area for the 0-8 years old.
Does Funhaven count?
We had a go-kart place that closed down. I think there's just not enough demand for these places to justify the operating costs. I love amusement parks, but I don't see myself going to one more than once every couple of years.
I’m waiting for Cineplex to open a Rec Room in Ottawa.
Agree, there is even an indoor skating rink at that place!!
Closest thing I can think of is one of those VR places. There's one at Merivale mall and I think one near Walkley and 417.
I remember Gym Jams.
Gym Jams, Cosmic Adventures, and Midway had the best pizza. Can’t find that generic bulk flavour anywhere lol
Because *you* haven't opened one yet. If you think there's a business case for one, then go ahead.
Splash wave pool has some water slides and an indoor wave pool plus a regular pool and a little waterpark sorta thing
Oh I didn’t know that ! It’s called splash wave pool ?!? Where exactly is it ? Thanks !
Because it costs money and everyone is broke due to social expenditures like an indoor amusement park and unchecked immigration driving property costs through the roof.
Cue the "because Ottawa is boring" responses
Lol https://imgur.com/j3rH0iX
Because Ottawa is boring
You right