Maple Leaf Village
Encyclopedia
Maple Leaf Village is a former amusement park and entertainment complex in Niagara Falls
, Ontario
. Opened in May 1979 it was operated by Conklin Shows
(operators of the midway at the Toronto Canadian National Exhibition
). Falling on hard economic times in the early 1990s, it was restructured and replaced with Casino Niagara
, a government run casino.
By the 1940s, the Oneida Community Plate Corporation Ltd. constructed their local corporate offices here. Known today for their manufacture of fine silverware, it was decided in the 1960s to construct an observation tower to afford visitors a view of the Niagara cataracts from the north side (the Seagram Tower [now the Konica Minolta Tower] had been constructed in 1962 and afforded a view from the south side). Billed as the area's first open-steel observation tower, it was opened for business by the 1964 tourist season.
The three-storey complex of Maple Leaf Village was constructed around the tower. It boasted a multi-screen movie theatre, numerous attractions (through the years: That's Incredible!
museum and the Elvis Presley
Museum were here), countless souvenir and apparel stores, Lillie Langtry's tavern and club and, in later years, the first locale for the Canadian comedy cabaret, Yuk-Yuk's. On the North side of the property was a complete carnival midway, complete with "North America's Largest" Ferris wheel
which, along with the tower (now called the Kodak Tower) dominating the northern tourist skyline. As part of the Clifton Hill tourist area, the facility was well-received and attracted numerous crowds for years.
Eventually, however, the novelty began to wear thin as shops folded and main tenants relocated to other locations with more suitable infrastructure. Admission costs to the Kodak Tower were eliminated for a few years, until unsafe conditions closed the tower altogether in the early 1990s. At the end of the 1992 season, the amusement park closed down. In early spring of 1993 the Ferris wheel was dismantled and shipped to Asia for use there.
By January 1994, only a dozen shops remained in operation throughout the sprawling three-storey structure. Redevelopment of the property was necessary, as many more shops were preferring on-street access in the burgeoning tourist area. The Maple Leaf Village Mall closed for the last time on Feb 1st 1995.
Casino Niagara
opened in the building on December 7, 1996; it is still in operation today. The site was intended to be a temporary site, but the new site was filled by the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort
. The tower received a new look to reflect its more upscale surroundings, although there currently is no public access.
Niagara Falls
The Niagara Falls, located on the Niagara River draining Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, is the collective name for the Horseshoe Falls and the adjacent American Falls along with the comparatively small Bridal Veil Falls, which combined form the highest flow rate of any waterfalls in the world and has...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. Opened in May 1979 it was operated by Conklin Shows
Conklin Shows
Conklin Shows was the largest traveling amusement corporation in North America. The 75 year-old company operated 'fun fairs' at various summer agricultural shows across North America and is based in Brantford, Ontario and West Palm Beach, FL. The company has a long history in Canada, providing...
(operators of the midway at the Toronto Canadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition , also known as The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day Monday. With an attendance of approximately 1.3 million visitors each season, it is Canada’s largest...
). Falling on hard economic times in the early 1990s, it was restructured and replaced with Casino Niagara
Casino Niagara
Casino Niagara is a commercial casino located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. It opened in 1996, on the site of the former Maple Leaf Village amusement park. It was originally an interim casino while the new Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort was constructed. Due to its prime location beside...
, a government run casino.
Site history
In the early 1900s, the land was host to Frontier Amusement Park, which boasted one of Canada's first all-steel roller coasters. By 1910, the amusement park was abandoned and dismantled.By the 1940s, the Oneida Community Plate Corporation Ltd. constructed their local corporate offices here. Known today for their manufacture of fine silverware, it was decided in the 1960s to construct an observation tower to afford visitors a view of the Niagara cataracts from the north side (the Seagram Tower [now the Konica Minolta Tower] had been constructed in 1962 and afforded a view from the south side). Billed as the area's first open-steel observation tower, it was opened for business by the 1964 tourist season.
Tower becomes amusement park
When Oneida relocated their offices in the late 1970s, York Hannover Developments Ltd. and Wost Holdings Ltd. invested $26 million in the creation of an amusement park concept, after the site was cleared. Its initial annual payroll was $3 million. The park pre-dated by two years the opening of Canada's Wonderland, presumed at that point to cost $105 million when completed.The three-storey complex of Maple Leaf Village was constructed around the tower. It boasted a multi-screen movie theatre, numerous attractions (through the years: That's Incredible!
That's Incredible!
That's Incredible! was an American reality television show that aired on the ABC television network from 1980 to 1984.-Synopsis:In the tradition of You Asked For It, Ripley's Believe It or Not! and Real People, the show featured people performing stunts and reenactments of allegedly paranormal events...
museum and the Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
Museum were here), countless souvenir and apparel stores, Lillie Langtry's tavern and club and, in later years, the first locale for the Canadian comedy cabaret, Yuk-Yuk's. On the North side of the property was a complete carnival midway, complete with "North America's Largest" Ferris wheel
Ferris wheel
A Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
which, along with the tower (now called the Kodak Tower) dominating the northern tourist skyline. As part of the Clifton Hill tourist area, the facility was well-received and attracted numerous crowds for years.
Eventually, however, the novelty began to wear thin as shops folded and main tenants relocated to other locations with more suitable infrastructure. Admission costs to the Kodak Tower were eliminated for a few years, until unsafe conditions closed the tower altogether in the early 1990s. At the end of the 1992 season, the amusement park closed down. In early spring of 1993 the Ferris wheel was dismantled and shipped to Asia for use there.
By January 1994, only a dozen shops remained in operation throughout the sprawling three-storey structure. Redevelopment of the property was necessary, as many more shops were preferring on-street access in the burgeoning tourist area. The Maple Leaf Village Mall closed for the last time on Feb 1st 1995.
Casino Niagara
Casino Niagara
Casino Niagara is a commercial casino located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. It opened in 1996, on the site of the former Maple Leaf Village amusement park. It was originally an interim casino while the new Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort was constructed. Due to its prime location beside...
opened in the building on December 7, 1996; it is still in operation today. The site was intended to be a temporary site, but the new site was filled by the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort
Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort
The Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada opened publicly on June 10, 2004. This $1 billion complex with a belle époque theme overlooks the Horseshoe Falls and is one of the most prominent features of the Niagara skyline...
. The tower received a new look to reflect its more upscale surroundings, although there currently is no public access.