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Options to Ferris Wheel Wanted

Thursday, 4 June 2026 18:25

By Geoff Waterfield

Staff picture

Unanimous vote at Niagara Falls city council to ask public for other ideas to ferris wheel at Victoria Park

It appears momentum at Niagara Falls city hall for a ferris wheel at Victoria Park could be shifting.

There were two motions on Tuesday, from Councillor Mike Strange and Councillor Lori Lococo, to seek public and private sector input on different ideas to the wheel, knowing public opposition to it.  "Whereas this is an opportunity to start the discussion, about a refresh for Niagara Falls, how something unique and spectacular can be created with a 'wow' factor."

Councillor Strange noted Niagara Falls tourism numbers have stagnated over the last decade.

Mayor Jim Diodati addressed this month's deadline for companies to bid on building the wheel.  "I wouldn't be as worried about the timing, because, as I say, they've heard loud and clear.  And that's just the end of the RFP (Request for Proposals), they've already extended it once, they could end up extending it, or taking no action."

He added Premier Doug Ford is open to other ideas instead of the wheel, but still wants tourism increased in Niagara.  "I was here, the last time the Premier was here, and he asked if we had any ideas for show stoppers, those were his exact words, something with 'wow' appeal.  This was his idea, I think he would probably surrender to a better idea."

The mayor placed value on public consultation.  "A lot of them travel around the world, they get out of Niagara Falls, and they see ideas around the world, and wonder why it's not done here.  'When I was in Brazil, I saw that'.  People say that to me all the time, 'When I was in Shanghai, and they did one of these...'."

Council unanimously passed the ideas to seek public consultation, and from businesses and hotels.

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